Zainab and the Thirsty Cat

A story to learn good manners: Zainab is a girl in our story, and it is the hottest day of the summer.

The sun was shining hot and bright. Zainab was playing in the garden with her baba. “Phew! It is so hot,” said Zainab, and she drank a big cup of cool water. “Alhamdulillah,” she said. “That feels so much better.”

Then she heard a tiny sound. Meow. Under the bushes, there was a little grey cat. The cat was panting, and it was licking a dry stone, looking for water.

“Baba, look!” said Zainab. “I think the cat is thirsty, just like I was.” Baba nodded. “You are right. What do you think we should do?” Zainab thought for a moment. “Let us give it some water!”

Zainab ran inside and filled a bowl with cool, fresh water. She walked very slowly, so she would not spill a drop. She put the bowl down gently, then stepped back, so the cat would not be scared.

The cat sniffed the bowl. Then lap, lap, lap! It drank and drank. Zainab clapped her hands quietly. “Masha Allah, it likes it!”

Baba sat down next to her on the grass. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told us about a man who was very thirsty on a journey. He found a well and drank. Then he saw a dog that was very thirsty too. So he went back down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and gave the dog a drink. Allah thanked him for it and forgave him.

The people asked: “Is there a reward for being kind to animals?” And the Prophet said: “Yes. There is a reward for kindness to every living creature.”

Zainab smiled at the little cat. “Then I will fill your bowl every day, in sha Allah!” The cat curled up in the shade, its tummy full. And Zainab felt warm and happy inside, because she knew that Allah is kind and loves kindness.