"Well, just now, I'd like nothing more than some cool water for my cat and I to drink."

The figure snaps his fingers and an intricately decorated tumbler appears instantaneously. The rainbow reflections that only diamonds have dance within it. With another snap, the tumbler magically fills with ice of the most exquisite shapes. Water flows on top of the ice, which does not melt. A straw and a twist of lemon and lime complete the picture.

"What about my cat?" the man asks.

The figure shakes its head, and says that no animals are aloved in heaven - only humans.

The man, knowing what a wonderful, caring companion he had, and knowing that the cat was really the only mortal creature that ever loved him unconditionally says to the figure that he does not want to be in heaven if they don't allow animals. The figure again shakes his head and says, "sorry, but they are the rules."

The man gathers up the exhausted beast and dejectedly walks back long the road.

As he passes the farm, an old and grizzled man waves at him. The cat, who had been lying exhausted in the man's arms, looks up and makes a feeble attempt to meow. The farmer greets the man "Ho, stranger, you look tired and thirsty. Would you care for a drink?"

At this point, the man does not care one way or another where he is, all he knows is that he is terribly thirsty and his beloved cat is getting dangerously dehydrated

The man nods, and the farmer leads him to a well.

Sorry, I dodn't have anything fancy" says the farmer, but dips an old and dented tin cup into a well. He hands it to the man, and he drinks deeply. When finished, he notices that the old man has also given his beloved cat a bowl of the same fresh, cool water. The old man explains "she looked like she needed some too. Beautiful creaures, aren't they?" The man just nods as he downs his second cup.

The old man smiles to himself "Say friend, would you like to stay for dinner? We don't have anything fancy but the wife and kids and I would sure like the company". The old man winked at the cat, and said conspiritially, "I think I have some milk somewhere for you as well."

After sitting down to a simple, but satisfying meal, the man smiled contentedly. The cat was curled up asleep by the fire, and everyone around the table looked happy and peaceful. They chatted casually about their day's work, what animals needed tending to, what to sow next season, who needed what help, and what they'd do tomorrow.

The man felt more content than he had in years, and his dear old moggy was purring in a way that brought tears to his eyes. The old man noticed the look on the man's face and said "Son, why don't you stop awhile, you look like you need a place to stay. We don't have anything fancy here, but it's adequate. You can help my daughters and sons tend the animals and crops, and labour around the farm, while we share with you our simple lodgings. Your cat is more than welcome and can join with the rest of the cat troupe. She'll be loved by all of us as you love her.

The man stayed and worked at the old man's farm and was never happier and more content in his life. His cat became healthy, with a siny coat and the gleam in her eye that she had in kittenhood returned. Although the farm lacked anything modern, fancy or luxurious, the man was indeed content to stay.

While working in the fields one day, with his cat chasing the mice around his feet, he suddenly remembered the pearly gates he had been turned away from. With a sudden fear of going to hell, he raced to the old farmer and angrily demanded to know what this place really was and why he had been turned away from heaven.

The old man smiled patiently and said, "Son, that place was not heaven. Don't let the shiny gates fool you. You did the right thing when you turnd away. Do you really think God would refuse entry to any of his angels?" The man's cat rubbed at his legs and mrrped in agreement.

The old man asked the young man if he was happy and enjoyed doing the work he was given. The man replied that he'd never been happier in his life, the work was hard but satisfying, the food simple but good, the accommodation perfectly adequate for his needs. And that he was able to spend the day with his beloved cat who seemed to really like it here too.

And the old man smiled an ancient smile and asked the man "Why do you doubt? Not everything you want is good for you, your heart desires much that will harm you, and you should be very careful abut what you wish for. If you are not happy here, you are free to leave at any time, but I was kind of hoping that you'd like to stay." The man's cat rubbed herself against the old man's legs. "Where do you think you are, anyway?"

As the old man lifted the cat upon his shoulder to give her a good scritching the sun shone through the cat's fur. The man thought he could make out a slight halo. A thought dawned in his mind. "Yes," said the old man, "you can now see." The man looked up to see many animals with subtle halos, each one happy to reflect the simple, unconditional love that God has for us. "It's the only way I could reach most of you" said the old farmer, "but I'm glad that your angel finally led you back to me." The old farmer embraced the man warmly. "Your family has missed you, welcome back."

And the Angel sitting on God's shoulder purred contentedly.

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