The Courtesan Cat

This is a story from a long time ago. There was an old woman who lived with a black cat. The old woman was a weaver, and as she was very fond of the cat, she would spend all of her extra money to buy delicious fish and other tasty treats for the cat to eat.

The years passed and the woman grew older, and there came a day when she was no longer able to work at her weaving. There was no extra money to buy treats for the cat.

One day the old woman sat beneath a darkened lamp in a darkened room stroking the cat and speaking to it. “You and I have been together for a long time, but I can’t work anymore and can’t afford to buy food for you any more. I think that you should find a new home where they will be able to take good care of you.”

The next day, the cat was gone. “Well I guess the cat understood what I was saying.” said the old woman. “I guess I’m really all alone now.”

And so the woman spent her days living all alone, and eventually she began to forget about the cat. Then, one day about a year later, a voice came from the front door, “Hello, Grandma! Are you home?”

When the old went to have a look she was surprised to see a beautiful young woman standing in the entrance to her house. She was slim and well dressed and her jet black hair was done up in the popular style of the day. The young woman possessed an unusual kind of beauty that was not of this world. “My name is Iizen” the young woman explained. “I have come to repay for the great kindness that you have shown me in the past.”

The old woman was quite surprised because this young woman was a complete stranger to her. However, her surprise turned to joy as Iizen showered her with gifts and money. Then the young woman tied up her sleeves and went to work. She cleaned the house from top to bottom, she prepared all kinds of delicious food and she even rubbed the old woman’s tired shoulders. Iizen carried out these chores with such energy and skill the old woman was thoroughly impressed and delighted. And yet one thing bothered the old woman. “Iizen said that she was here to repay me for the kindness I had shown her in the past…” she thought, “but I don’t remember ever seeing her before. I must be getting old.”

The next morning the old woman awoke early as usual. As the sun rose higher and Iizen failed to get out of bed, the old woman began to worry and decided to check on her. The old woman quietly slid open the door to Iizen’s room, and was shocked to find a large black cat laying on Iizen’s futon, gasping for breath.

“You!” cried the old woman, “aren’t you the black cat that left this house about a year ago?”

“Yes, I am that same black cat that you were so nice to.” the cat replied weakly.

“After I left here, I became a courtesan, and worked day and night. Finally, I was able to save a little money so that I could try to repay the kindness that you had shown me.”

The cat took a final breath, and died; happy in the old woman’s arms. “For me,” the old woman sobbed through her tears, “you worked yourself to death for me.”

The old woman had a grave built for the cat and buried her there with honor. The old was able to live in ease and comfort for the rest of her life with the money that the cat had given her.”