The Cat Who Chased Its Tail

Flicker was a kitten full of fire. His every waking moment was a burst of energy, a frantic search for the next exciting thing. One sunny morning, he discovered his own tail. A fascinating, fluffy thing that seemed to have a life of its own. The chase was on. He spun and spun, a whirlwind of grey fur, completely consumed by the game. He leaped, he pounced, he tumbled, but the prize was always just out of reach. Hours passed. The sun climbed high and then began to dip, casting long shadows across the garden. Flicker, dizzy and breathless, finally collapsed in a heap, his body trembling with exhaustion. Through his blurry vision, he saw a pair of wise, green eyes looking down at him. It was Old Man Tiber, the ancient tomcat who had seen countless seasons. "A noble chase," Tiber rumbled, his voice like a gentle purr. "But what have you caught?" Flicker, panting, had no answer. Tiber gestured with his head. "Passion is a powerful current, little one. Without a rudder, it will only pull you under. Look up." Flicker lifted his heavy head. He saw the fireflies beginning to dance, he heard the crickets start their evening song, and he smelled the sweet nectar of the night-blooming jasmine. He had been so focused on his tail that he had missed the entire day. He had passion, but no purpose. With a newfound clarity, Flicker realized his energy could be used to explore the world, not just to spin in it.