The Cat of Fortune

You must have heard many rags to riches stories, this one is one such fairytale with happy ending. Once upon a time, in a remote village, lived a happy boy, called Manik, in a farmer family, up until his parents died in an accident, and he became an orphan, having no one to take care of him, and in lonely nights he slept hungry. So, he left the village and went to the city, searching for a job that nobody gave. He loitered on the road, begging to survive, until one day, out of pity and compassion, Anil, a merchant, gave him shelter. Manik was happy once again, for he became a part of Anil’s family. But problem arose as he couldn’t sleep at night, because his room was full of mice. Thinking to do something about it, he borrowed some money from Anil’s daughter, Lucy, and bought a cat, he named Billy, that killed all the mice to his relief. When Anil went on a trading trip to the neighboring kingdom, he took Manik and his cat along. Business over, as Anil was ready to leave, the king asked him if he had any solution to the menace of mice plaguing the palace. Anil sold Billy to the king who was so pleased for it killed all the mice in no time, he gave a large amount of money and gold to Manik, making him instantly rich beyond imagination. When Manik returned home immensely wealthy, he wanted to pay back the money he had borrowed from Lucy to buy the cat of fortune, but she refused to take, saying she had helped him then because she loved him. They got married and lived happily thereafter. __________ April 9, 2023 Inspired by Dick Whittington And His Cat (Wikipedia) Contest : Write A Sweet Fairytale For Children With A Good Outcome Ending, Ie Nobody Gets Hurt Sponsored by : BJ Legros Kelley