Çavên Pisikê (The Eyes of a Cat)

[talsor]

One day, the cats decided to change their ways, to stop torturing mice and oppressing them. They announced that they would now travel the path of religion, tolerance and peace. When the mice heard about this they were very happy, but they were still suspicious. "We will wait and see what happens," they said. "We have been waiting for this for centuries."

The cats sent a representative to the mice.

"We cats are tired of chasing you around and around," the representative said. "We would like to sign a peace agreement with you."

"Yes, we would like this too," responded the mice. "We are tired of escaping just as you are tired of chasing."

"Well then, let there be peace. You can prove that you trust us by closing up all the holes and tunnels that you use to escape. As for us, to prove that we have changed our ways, we are going on a pilgrimage to Mecca. On our return you will see that we will never attack you."

So the cats went to the holy land. While they were there, they prayed and swore never to eat mice again. They did all the things they had to do to get away from their sinful ways. After they finished their prayers, they wrapped their heads with colorful scarves to show that they had become pilgrims. Then they lined up and came home.

Of course on their return, everyone went to visit them and welcome them. They were important now because whoever travels to Mecca is considered to be holy as well. Everyone who went to see them gave them a good report.

The mice heard the news that the cats had returned. But the mice didn't want to listen to rumors that the cats had changed their ways, they wanted to see with their own eyes. The leaders of the mice held a meeting, and they assigned a delegation of mice to go and see the situation for themselves. Those mice went, and they witnessed the cats sitting quietly with peaceful demeanor. They were all wearing prayer shawls and they each had a string of prayer beads in their paws. They seemed very changed. The cats welcomed the mice warmly and spoke sweetly to them, showing them their hospitality. The delegation of mice returned home to give their report to their friends.

The mice at home were very excited to hear what had changed. The delegation said, "The cats have really changed. They're sitting peacefully, wearing prayer shawls, and they are very religious now. They welcomed us and made us feel at home. There is only one problem."

"What's that?" asked the other mice.

"It's this," said the mice who went to investigate, "Their eyes still watch us in the same way as before."