You’re shipwrecked, washed up on a deserted island. Only you and a cat made it to the lifeboat. You drift for a while and end up on this island, just a rocky island with nothing you can eat. No water, either. In your lifeboat you have ten days’ worth of biscuits and water for one person, and that’s it.
Close your eyes and imagine this scene. You’re washed up on a deserted island with a cat. This is a solitary island in the middle of nowhere. It’s almost impossible that someone would rescue you within ten days. When your food and water run out, you may very well die. Well, what would you do? Since the cat is suffering as you are, should you divide your meagre food with it?
No. That would be a mistake. I want you to understand that dividing your food with the cat would be wrong. The reason being that you are precious beings, chosen by God, and the cat is not. That’s why you should eat all the food yourself.
Everything’s a metaphor in this story. Man. Cat. Biscuits and water. Lifeboat. Island. Ten days. Everything.
Just like a mother needs to fill herself first before milk-feeding her infant; you need to love yourself first before loving someone else or expecting someone else you love you in the first place.
Once you’ve had enough of the biscuits and water for yourself, there’s always an option to lend something to the Cat, too.
And the Cat will love you for that.
But do remember the crux; only if you have had enough of the biscuits and water for yourself first.
Is there someone who got the metaphors?
~ Sahil Lakhmani
