Achilles being educated by Chiron
Mama was crying last night.
She had just finished The Song of Achilles, I, snoozing between her knees in full, stretched out position for comfort and I heard this snuffling and sniffing and realize that mama was teary. But it looked like a good-teary, not one of those bad-tearies that I’m sure she would have if something happened to me or papa or even another kitty. Just seeing the roadkill in Texas, mama said, was disturbing and sad, because there were little deer and possums and various other ex-living creatures who had been hit by cars on those long, Texas roads flanked by forests and hills.
But she told me that The Song of Achilles was a different matter and one of the most beautiful love stories she had ever read. Both mama and papa are really suckers for a good love story, and evidently, this one is a doozy. I like it that they still get all lovey-dovey and snuggly and sort of limpid-eyed when they think of love stories and love in any form.
The author, Madeleine Miller, worked ten years on her brilliant book, mama said, and then she said, “You know, if one could produce a book like this and it took even twenty years, it would be worth it. As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t have to write another one, but I hope she does.”
So I snuggle up to mama and licked her hair and gave her a little bath, which always makes her feel better, soothed, relaxed and let’s her know that papa and I are near and she can cry on our shoulders if she needs to.
That is, if cats have shoulders. I think I found mine—there’s a little damp spot on it…
And love is here to stay.
Maybe my human should give a try to the book your Mom was reading. I don’t like to see my human cry but if it is because of a beautiful story I think it is okay.