The Healer Cat The Authors Voice
The Author's Voice
Tuula Pere
The Healer Cat
It’s hard to imagine a darker and colder place than the distant forest where the healer cat and the dangerous wolf meet. Such incidents take place also in real life when we have to face our deepest fears.
How can we find our courage then? Should we rather run away as quickly as we can or just stand still and stare the monster straight into the eyes.
At the scariest moment the healer cat gathers all its strength. It raises from her loving heart and good will. Facing that kind of light and good energy even the strongest opponent is week. The wolf has to step aside.
We all carry a lot of such strength in our hearts, even if it sometimes seems to be running out. But we can always revive it by remembering why we are here. There is nothing more important than loving and helping each other – and ourselves, even if it’s not always easy.
Tuula Pere
Celesse, the healer cat, is a highly respected member of the neighborhood. As the mistress’s favorite cat, she spends lazy days in the warmth of the house.
One snowy night a mother hare rushes in, desperate for help. Reluctantly, the healer cat travels with her through a nighttime snowstorm and biting cold winds. In a dark forest, Celesse comes face-to-face with a scary surprise and is forced to gather her powers for the first time in a while.
Celesse put a little more effort into caring for the mistress; after all, she was the one who gave her the best treats!
The convenience
It’s tempting to keep on dreaming on a soft cushion. But overcoming the need for comfort opens a door for new experiences.
A collection of animals from the neighborhood had come to visit Celesse. They were gathered on the floor of the main room, spending time with the respected healer cat. She lay on top of the warm brick oven.
The act of healing
The healer has the ability to make the object want a change for oneself.
The door flew open and a snowy mountain hare hopped into the room. With her came a sharp blast of cold air and the faint scent of fir twigs.
The hare reckoned that the plump indoor cat was not up to trudging through the snow on foot. Besides, it was too far away. “I can take you to the backwoods in the sleigh that I saw in front of the house,” the hare said quickly. “That will hasten the trip, and you’ll stay warm.”
The strength
The greatest force comes from the heart. From a small spring it can grow to flow like an irresistible stream.
The hare started on the long journey toward the backwoods. The healer cat was a heavy load for the small creature to pull. The sleigh’s runners sank deep into the snow as the animals traveled, and the hare’s warm breath steamed in the frosty air.
The wolf looked at the hare with its piercing eyes. For a moment, it seemed unsure of what to think of these peculiar wanderers. But in a wolf’s empty stomach, there is always room for a few bites of food.
The fear
The fear shrinks when we dare to acknowledge its existence. The taming of the fear starts by giving it a name.
But Celesse wasn’t afraid. Although the wolf had started growling in a hollow voice and showing its horrifying teeth, Celesse stared straight back with her yellow eyes. It was a pair of extraordinary eyes. In the darkness of the forest they kept widening until they were like two golden lanterns.
The hare moved aside to let Celesse approach her baby’s sickbed. The cat bent down over the little hare and placed her paw lightly on his head.
To help
In helping the others we can utilize both physical and mental skills.
There is nothing wrong in the help that arises from a sense of a duty. But helping the others turns out a greatest gift when there is a pure heart guiding the efforts.
Eventually even the fiercest of snowstorms subsides. The morning in the backwoods broke bright and sunny. Next to the burrow, on the branches of a tree, a flock of birds chirped cheerfully. The birds were excited about the new day, which was going to be much warmer than the previous one.
Celesse turned her gaze to the sun and raised her face toward the light. Her whiskers quivered delicately, and she was filled with relief and peace. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to heal someone.
To donate
It’s easy to give away from plenty without losing anything important. But what happens when there is only shortage to share?
Once more, the healer cat turned to glance at the icy cliff, shining in the morning light. Spring was still a long way away, but the sun was stronger than ice. At the tip of every icicle, there glimmered a drop of water, like a tear of joy.
Once the long night and the successful trip are over, the sun comes out, warming not only the snowy forest but also the heart of the healer cat.
Story and illustrations by Tuula Pere
English translation by Päivi Vuoriaro
Edited by Susan Korman
Layout by Peter Stone