The Cat That Lived A Million Times

Manuscript for the Tall Tale Contest in the Toast MasterKeyforce Club in Tokyo

Dedicated to Ms. Sano Yoko

==========

Longlong ago, and far far away, a  tabby catbelonged to one King. The king loved the cat very much, and gave everything to Cat,however, Cat didn`t like King at all. Cat thought king was so boring people,for example, King likes war very much, every wartime, King took cat inside abeautiful cage beside the king`s car. One day, unfortunately, an arrow suddenlyhit through the cage and the tabby cat died. king was really sorrowing, andcried loudly. Cat was buried in King`s yard. King sworn no warany more, because he can`t forget cat died in the warfield.

Thenext day, Cat revived. The cat was undead, and never cried for anybody,anything, anytime, of course, any life.

LongLong ago, cat belonged to one sailor. Sailor loved Cat very much, however, Catdislike Sailor at all. Sailor visited all cities and harbors with his favoriteCat all over the world by ship. One day, cat dropped into sea, but the Cat wasnot able not swim. Sailor tried to fish Cat up as soon as possible, yet, Catdied from too much water inside. Sailor buried Cat below one tree in a park.

Asstill, Cat revived next day. Afterwards, belonged to artist, thief, teacher,politician, also for my grandma and so on, for 1 million times, died 1 milliontimes and revived 1million times. Albeit, Cat had never cried.

Oneday, Cat didn`t belong to anybody. Cat belonged to Cat. That means, Cat was awildcat. It`s his first time belonging to himself. The cat was so beautiful andgorgous that  many many female catswanted to be married to him, and gave him big fish, fresh mouse, nice milk.But, the Cat said

I have died,revived for 1 million times, and don`t care anything.

While,only one white cat, very beautiful, didn`t show any interest to him.  He told her,

I have died 1million times.

Miao

The2^nd day, third day and forth day, he asked her.

Have youfinished your life once?

Miao

Oneday, he told her,

once I was  a circus cat

thenreturned several circles for her.

Miao

I have died …...Could I stay with you?

Ok.

So,the Cat lived with the white for a long time, and the white born lots` ofpretty kitties. This time, The Cat loved the white and their babies much morethan himself. Gradually, kitties became cats, and left the two and had theirown families.

They have becomebeautiful wildcats, isn`t it?.

Yeah,white replied and pronounced Gulu gulu. White became an old female cat.

TheCat never spoke “I died 1 million times” any more, and loved white more thanbefore. often replied “Gulu Gulu”

Thecat wished to live with white forever like current.

Onerainy day, the white lay down in the hug of the cat,  never woke again.

TheCat cried with big teardrops one by one. It`s his first time to cry in his 1million lives. From morning to night, from night to morning cried and cried for1 million times.

Morning,night, morning….in one noon, a shining day, his crying stopped and lay in the side of the white, peacefully.

Thenext day, he did not revive. Never Ever.

==========

Interview Part

Q: What would you do if you had 1 million timeslive.

A: Uh,,, that’s a good question to answer. (thinkingfor 15 seconds). I wish to meet my white cat as soon as possible.