Old Man And His Companion

Sia lived with her family in the countryside. Her parents travel to the city for work so does she and her little brother, to go to school. Something has been bothering Sia for a long time now, it's about this neighbouring house wherein lives an old blind man whose everyday life was a struggle in itself. No one knows where is his family or when did he come to this house, frankly no one cares, everybody is busy with their own family and selves. But not Sia. She's strangely interested in knowing his whereabouts and so constantly keeps an eye on him. One fine day mustering all her courage Sia went to her mother and in all her innocence asked 'Mom, I feel bad seeing the poor old man living nearby us, why don't we help him?'

Her Mom replied in a concerned voice 'Sia, he seems dangerous, no one in our neighborhood has ever spoken to him. Don't even think of helping, do your work and never talk about him again'

The concern Sia's mother showed for her was nowhere in question but leaving everything aside, shunning a secluded human being, how much is that morally right thing to do, where is the long lost humanity within us?

Our insecurities often hold us back from offering a helping hand to someone in need.

But neither the old man was alone, nor could she in her impeccable childishness, find him dangerous at all.

One fine day when Sia was on way back home from school she couldn't believe her eyes for what she saw - a cat-like animal was accompanying the old man. Sia could tell, even after standing at a distance, that this little creature had some extraordinary features and was understanding the directions the old man gave and was very different from any cat she's ever seen.

Soon this feline-like became a pivotal part around which this Old blind man's whole life revolved. The creature was his companion in his happiness and mate in sorrow. The emptiness was now filled and he was no more seen to be alone. The creature prevented his food from being eaten by rodents and it'd help him cross the road. it'd sniff if something unusual took place. The old man could live his life without much trouble now.

Albeit there were so many humans around this old man who had to seek succor from a non-human proving that since time Immemorial animals and humans had a relationship that would complete each other and make this world a little better place to live happily altogether accepting and appreciating the differences.