A few weeks ago, I happened to notice a stray cat on the roof of our house. She was looking for a nice place to sleep. I didn't bother her because she was a stray cat, and I thought she would soon find her way back home.
The next morning, I discovered she wasn't alone. Hidden in a quiet corner of the roof were four tiny kittens, sleeping closely together. Their eyes were barely open, and they depended completely on their mother for warmth, food, and protection.
Every day, after that, I began watching this little family from a distance. The cat mom was looking for food, so that she could return to her kittens and feed them and wash them. She didn’t have a home, where to bring them, but she never gave up on them. I felt her devotion to her children, and I realized how amazing maternal love is.
In addition, every day, the kittens were getting more playful and adventurous. They ran after their tails, jumped over things, and played with anything they saw. It was so sweet and uplifting to watch them.
As the days turned into weeks, the kittens grew incredibly fond of me. Every time I came up to the roof with food, instead of staying away, they ran up to me. Not only did they come up to me, but they also curled up next to me or on top of my lap. It was amazing how much trust I had gained from these little animals. I was always happy when they came up to me and laid next to me. The happiness of having them trust me is something I will never forget. Sometimes, I would just sit and watch them play around me or lay next to me. All of those little moments with the kittens brought me so much joy than I have ever known. At that time, I never knew I would grow so fond of four little stray kittens.
Moreover, I started to think about how amazing pets are. They are so cute, but at the same time, they have so many problems. For example, stray animals have to cope with hunger and extreme weather conditions. In addition, they are at risk of disease.
I knew they were stray animals, but to me, they were more than that. They had become part of my routine and, without realizing it, part of my heart.
Then winter arrived.
December brought bitter cold, and the kittens became sick with what seemed to be the flu. They stopped playing. Their tiny bodies grew weak, and their bright curiosity disappeared. Seeing them struggle was heartbreaking.
I couldn't just stand by and watch.
I tried everything I could. I made sure they had food, sought veterinary care, and hoped they would recover. I believed that if I acted quickly enough, I could save them.
Sadly, despite every effort, one by one, all four kittens died.
The rooftop that had once been filled with playful sounds became silent.
For days, I found myself looking toward the place where they used to sleep, expecting to see them waiting for food or chasing each other. Their absence was impossible to ignore. Even though I had only known them for two months, losing them felt much heavier than I expected.
This experience taught me that kindness doesn't always end with a happy ending. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, nature follows its own course. We cannot save every life, but that does not mean our care was meaningless.
Life had another surprise waiting for me. In April, the same mother cat returned to my rooftop and gave birth to four more kittens. Seeing her again brought back memories of the litter I had lost the previous December. Sadly, history was not entirely kind, and two of the kittens did not survive. Losing them was painful, but this time, two kittens grew stronger with each passing day. They are now healthy, playful, and full of energy. I continue to care for them by providing food, fresh water, and a safe place to stay. Watching them thrive has brought hope back to my rooftop. Although the memories of the kittens I couldn't save will always stay with me, caring for these two reminds me that every act of kindness matters and that sometimes, love is given another chance.
