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THE MEMOIRS OF A CAT
to investigate the past comes from a realistic view of the present, and conversely, a correct perspective of the past gives a clear understanding of the present. The fact of the birth of a lowly cat is insignificant by itself. The absence of any record of that insignificant fact need not be a matter of particular attention. But in the beginning of my story, it drew my attention to the general fact That Indians don't celebrate birthdays. This is a fact of profound social significance, although one seldom stops to ponder over it. Yet, some reflection on this fact opens before one the vast panorama of the history of Indian society from the carliest days of the Empire.
If you believe in God, and therefore in the dogma that everything in the world is providentially ordained, you cannot have such a contemptuous attitude towards life as Hinduism teaches you to have. The supposition of a higher life does not eliminate the contradiction. This life may be lower; yet, according to your own belief, it also is a part of the providential order of things. Therefore, it is as much real as the supposed higher life. Indeed, it is more so, because the higher life does not exist except in fantasy. Ninety-nine per cent of those who believe in it can never tell you what it is like. Even those few who claim to have experienced it, are no better informants about its nature. Nevertheless, to run after the will-o'-the wisp is glorified as the highest ideal of life. Reality
