Advice of the cat

In a quiet garden, there lived an old, gray cat named Leo. Leo was very wise because he spent most of his time observing the world from the top of a wooden fence.

One sunny afternoon, a young boy named Sam was running around the garden. Sam was bored. He saw a line of tiny ants carrying food to their nest. To have some "fun," Sam picked up a large stick and prepared to destroy the ants' home.

"Stop," a soft voice said.

Sam looked up. It was Leo the cat. "Why should I stop?" Sam asked. "They are just tiny ants. They don't matter."

Leo stretched his legs and looked at the boy with his bright green eyes. "Listen to me, little human," the cat said. "In this world, everyone is trying their best to live. Those ants are working hard for their family."

Sam lowered his stick, feeling a bit ashamed.

Leo continued, "My rule for a happy life is simple: If you can, help others. If you see a thirsty bird, give it some water. If you see a friend who is sad, say something kind."

"But what if I am too tired? Or what if I don't have anything to give?" Sam asked.

"That is okay too," Leo replied. "If you cannot help, at least do not harm them. You don't have to give the ants food, but you also don't have to break their home. If you cannot be a light, at least do not be the darkness."

Sam looked at the ants again. He put the stick away and sat down to watch them work instead. He realized that being peaceful was much better than being powerful.

The Moral of the Story

"If you can, help others. If you cannot do that, at least do not harm them."