Part IV
Nightcat follows Death until it cannot any longer. It has grown old and slow and too tired to walk. It lies under the moon’s rays, and it sits with its head on its paws. Death comes to it and asks, ‘Do you know now all there is to know?’
‘I know all there is for me to know,’ Nightcat replies.
‘There is much you do not yet know, though,’ Death argues.
‘Of course, but I am satisfied. I am content. I am ready to take your hand.’
Death considers this for a long while, then approaches Nightcat. She holds her hand to it, and it presses its head to her. She claims Nightcat’s soul, and she releases it to Life as she does with all souls which pass into her care.
Life cradles this soul, this precious soul who stood as friend to Death, and lets it return to the world to live and choose a new form. He watches, curious as to what form a soul that claims to have known everything there is to know will take.
Some souls take their time. Some souls are uncertain. For some, the choice is hard.
But Nightcat’s soul chooses swiftly and with little hesitation. It settles into the bones of a new life, and it opens its eyes to the world free of uncertainty or doubt. Long legs and grey-white fur soon find their place at Death’s side once more.
‘What are you?’ Death asks. ‘And what will you do?’
‘I am Nightcat,’ it replies. ‘I will watch, and I will learn all there is to know. For that is me. That is what I will do. Now, and for ever.’
– Myths, Legends and Realities, Anonymous