Orthodox Parables and Stories: The monk with the kitten

On Karoulia, in the most waterless desert of the Holy Mountain, there was an ascetic who had a kitten for comfort and protection from snakes and mice.

One day a bird of prey, flying in the sky over the desert, spotted its victim and, rushing down, grabbed the kitten with its claws.

The ascetic, upset and not knowing what to do, entered the temple and, coming to the icon of the holy patron of asceticism, extinguished the lamp, thus demanding his attention. He told the saint of the sad event because he considered him his friend and patron. "Why, my holiness, didn't you protect him?" he said, lamenting.

At the same instant the ascetic heard behind the door the meowing of a kitten freed from the feathered predator.