The Epiphany of Puduraya

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Standing at the side of the road tonight I was trying to make up my mind what to do. Suddenly, something, like a little bundle, near me hit the ground with a hollow smack. I looked and it turned out it was a cat that had fallen off the top of the nearby building. It's back was bent in an unlikely way. After a moment of stillness, it slowly, as if in slow motion, tried to lift its head, eyes staring as if in shock at what had just happened. A paw moved very slowly, then the head sank back. I think it knew that this was it. I walked on but still felt compelled to turn around once more. It seemed its gaze had followed me as its head bent forward a bit. I stood there watching the little creature die until I believed its eyes had gone dim.
Now I think, is this a sign? An omen? Life is short and you never know what might suddenly happen - in the same way as this cat with all its grace did not expect to fall. You might think you're on top of things and get complacent, take those things for granted, and then before you know it everything is gone in the blink of an eye.