“My one cat has a British
passport, and the other- UAE passport.”
“What? Cats also get passports?”
said one.
“Our kids don’t get the UAE
passport, but the cats do?” another disbelieving voice.
In reply, she just shrugged.
But it just did not leave me. Was
the cat’s life really better than ours, or just simpler?
After all, a cat does not worry
if it gets its last rites done here or in the home country.
A cat will, most probably, not
have a will- so whether the Sharia laws apply, or that of the home country do-
it doesn’t matter.
A cat doesn’t worry if it gets
any benefits from having a particular nationality, or if it is eligible for
social benefits because taxes have been paid on its behalf all through its
life- including, fines and tolls…
A cat is happy to live wherever its
family lives- the human family- and doesn’t fret over being away from its
roots.
A cat doesn’t have to think if a
citizenship will help its kittens get admission in prestigious universities in
that country.
A cat doesn’t care if it has a
property here or back home, or loans, or a fancy car, and its loans; or an overdue
card – it doesn’t need those designer shoes or bag or dress, or hobby lessons….
It does not even have a religion-
so it does not have to worry about any rituals, restrictions, religious holidays,
freedom to practice its religion, or just plain sense of comfort from being
amongst more cats from the same region/ religion/ caste/ country/ colour…
The cat doesn't think about which country has good healthcare system....
The cat probably, most probably, doesn’t
think about retirement, and all the practical problems that come with it…
All it needs is a loving family,
and just enough money to meet its needs…
Of course, its life is so much
more simpler to manage and afford- even for the government!
Now, if only human life was just
as straight forward……my friend wouldn’t have to clear that history exam to get
her British passport! Probably!!!
