The Travelling Cat Chronicles

by Hiro Arikawa

Because it was a very special thing—to have your own cat in your own home.

Delicacies of the sea are not something cats should catch by themselves. It’s quite acceptable to allow humans to prepare them for us.

I knew he was searching hard for a new owner for me, but that as each attempt came to nothing, he felt hugely relieved to be taking me home again.

How could I ever leave him, having experienced that kind of love?

I will never, ever, leave him.

When an animal’s life is over, it rests where it falls, and it often seems to me that humans are such worriers, to think of preparing a place for people to sleep when they are dead. If you have to consider what’s going to happen after you die, life becomes doubly troublesome.

However, I’m a grown-up cat and I restrained myself, so, everyone, feel free to shower me with praise.

A box is totally different from a bed and a post, I’ll have you know.

“What will people think if they hear I gave you something to eat that even a cat wouldn’t touch? Please don’t mention it to anyone.” “Anybody who has a cat will understand.”

He made me the happiest cat on earth.

Could anyone be happier than this?

Which is better—a photo of me, or the real flesh-and-blood cat? The answer’s obvious.

but if I couldn’t go out with Satoru I didn’t see the point of treading with the soft pads of my paws on streets covered with freezing white snow.

Every day, I stared out of the window. Hey, Satoru, how are things where you are?

Today, the puffed-up sparrows on the power lines set a new record for rotundity.

See? Didn’t I tell you I’d stay with you to the end?

I am Satoru’s one and only cat. And Satoru is my one and only pal.

Another winter is just around the corner.

And I’m finally coming to the end of my story.

We live together, but I’m not Noriko’s cat. Forever and ever I am your cat, Satoru.

So, about time, maybe, for you to come over here? Yeah, but I have one more thing I need to do first.

Ah—we saw so many things, didn’t we?

My story will be over soon. But it’s not something to be sad about.

And someday, we will meet all those people again, out beyond the horizon.