The Magic of Kindness
Today, I had to bury the kitten of the darling cat who lives in my garage. The kitten was the victim of an accident when a car ran over her. Her mother had to suffer many a loss like this due to the carelessness of some humans.
I didn't know how I would do it. I didn't know if I could. While my friend, Apurbo carried the body, I looked here and there, lost, heartbroken and with tears at the brink, thinking about how in the world I would get through this.
Just then, a group of young boys were passing by when Apurbo suggested that maybe we can pay them and take their help, ask them to dig up some Earth. I turned to them and they told me that they do this on a regular basis- give proper burials to animals that die on the streets.
I was suspicious. I was just waiting for them to ask for the money. I decided to wait and watch.
Divine intervention cannot be this obvious, can it?
They lead me to the other side of the lake in front my house where they found some soft Earth. I watched them find things from here and there to dig up soil, while one of them collected twigs. They placed a white cloth they found nearby at the base of the grave. They took the kitten carefully into their arms and placed her softly inside. They placed the twigs on top and put another cloth on top. The eldest of them, Ratul, said to the others, 'remember, one fistful of soil each' and called out to me, 'apu, wont you put soil on your kitten and pray for her soul?'
I went. In awe of what was happening. Confused. Anxious.
We all put soil on her grave.
Ratul then asked, 'Bhaiya which way is poshchim, the kiblah?' Apurbo showed them. Ratul then assembled all of us in a line while he said the few lines of the Surahs he knew. With Ratul still leading with the words, we all then held our hands in the sky, and prayed to God to bless the little animal's soul and to bless us all.
Still shocked. What was happening? They didn't ask for any money yet.
I handed it to them anyway. They all refused. They said, "Just pray for us. We do this to make God happy. These animals don't get proper burials. They deserve it."
Just today, when I was lost, heartbroken and with tears at the brink, not knowing how to get through burying a kitten, I found Ratul and his friends- these little boys who I believe God sent my way when I needed them the most, to help me do exactly that.
I have told Ratul and his friends to come meet me whenever they want. They suggested every Friday. I promised to teach them as many Surahs as I know.
And yes, I learned today that divine intervention can be exactly this obvious.
Naziba Basher
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Comments