It wasn't a rainy day—at least not when it began. The skies were clear, the wind was calm. But within ten minutes, as if the heavens had changed their mind, the rain came pouring down with fury.
On the middle of a narrow village road, an elderly woman walked slowly, her frail frame struggling against the sudden downpour. Her steps were careful, and the rain was so heavy that she had no choice but to find shelter. She spotted a large tree by the roadside and quickly made her way toward it.
As she reached the tree, she paused. A soft, strange sound met her ears—like someone crying. Concerned, she walked behind the tree to investigate.
Her expression changed the moment she saw what was hidden there.
Lying on the wet ground was a mother cat, motionless, with three tiny kittens curled up beside her. Two of the kittens weren't moving. But one—just one—was still breathing, its body trembling from the cold and rain.
"Oh, you poor thing…" the woman whispered.
With a heavy heart, she gently picked up the mother cat and the two lifeless kittens. She buried them right under the same tree, whispering a prayer as the rain slowly began to ease. Then, carefully, she wrapped the surviving kitten in the end of her shawl and began her walk home.
Inside a small cottage, warm and cozy compared to the cold outside, a child's voice called out.
"You're late, Grandma! I was waiting for you!"
The old woman smiled at the innocent complaint. As she stepped in, she placed the tiny kitten on the carpet and bent down to hug her granddaughter.
The little girl touched the kitten gently. "It's so soft, Grandma… what is it?"
"It's a newborn kitten, sweetheart," the woman said, her voice touched with sadness.
The girl's eyes lit up. "A kitten? Can I keep it?"
Grandma nodded with a soft smile and took her into the living room. She laid the kitten gently on the sofa and went to find a small box. After a few minutes, she returned with a soft towel and a cozy space just the right size.
She cleaned the kitten carefully, dried it off, and placed it in the box. Then she changed out of her wet clothes and headed to the kitchen to make dinner.
As she cooked, she noticed her granddaughter was unusually quiet, clearly deep in thought.
"What's bothering you, Kia?" Grandma asked kindly.
Kia looked up, a little confused. "Grandma… where is the kitten's mom and dad?"
The old woman's face saddened. "They went to stay with God, my love."
Kia's voice dropped to a whisper. "Just like mine?"
Grandma turned away to hide the tears in her eyes. "Maybe yes, baby…"
Kia crawled up beside her. "What did her mom look like?"
"She had white fur… just like your hair. And little paws, like your tiny hands. She was beautiful… just like you."
Kia's eyes widened. "What about her eyes? Can she not see either?"
Grandma stopped stirring the pot, unsure how to answer.
"She can't see right now," she said gently. "She's just a newborn."
"Ohhh…"
"Now, Kia," Grandma said, trying to lighten the mood, "come to the table. Let's have dinner."
They both ate quietly. Afterward, Grandma gently fed the kitten a bit of fresh cow's milk. But something felt… off.
The kitten was breathing. She drank the milk. But she hadn't moved much—not even a little stretch or wriggle since they had come home. Grandma's heart tightened with worry.
Living in a small village meant no nearby veterinarians, and she knew there was little she could do. But she promised herself she'd give the kitten everything she possibly could.
That night, she and Kia fell asleep together, the kitten sleeping silently in her little box.