Tale of a Cat

When I was small, I was told a true story of two men who had gone in Tableeghi Jamaat in India. As they had to wait transit in the airport for a while, the men of the jamaat decided to sleep and so took out their blankets and sleeping bags for later on when they would have to sleep.

Well this was India, so naturally there was a cat around. The cat settled itelf on one of the sleeping bags, much to the consternation of the sleeping bag's owner. In fact he was so upset he yelled and frightened and kicked it away. 

The other man who saw this felt rather bad for the poor cat and called to it soothingly. The cat walked over to this second man and was petted. 

A while later the kind man returned to his sleeping bag, ready for a nap. As he crawled in, he felt something warm within, and upon further investigation realized that the cat had decided to take a nap in his sleeping bag! The kind man let the cat sleep without disturbing it.

Meanwhile there was a shout of dismay from the other man when he realized a cat had decided to relieve itself on his bag.

While the story may raise some smirks, there are two lessons one may discern from this tale.

1. Always treat others, whether humans or animals, with kindness and gentleness. If you wish for Allah Ta'aala to be merciful upon you, then be merciful upon His creation.
2. Jaise karni waise bharni; na maane to kar ke dekh - As you sow, so shall you reap; (If) you don't believe it, do (so) and see*

*Translation taken from Here