Then New Life will Begin

Disclaimer: I do not claim any ownership of CATS.

(Mistoffelees)

I used to think I was small. I am in body, but my spirit is large. When I found my magic I thought I could do anything, but I learned I would still be small if could not decide if I wass going to use my magic for good or evil. Old D said magic was no shame if I would use it the right way. How did I decide? This is my story…

I lay forgotten in an old oven. My tiny and frail body rested on a ragged blanket. I watched the other kittens play happily in the center of the junkyard. I was alone and forgotten, none of the kittens ever wanted me around. I was always just there.

I went on out to the river and stood looking at my reflection when I heard a large splash. Unnoticed Pouncival had followed me out here, and now he had fallen into the river.

With out a thought I clamored in and reached out for him, grabbing him and yanking his out of the water. Pouncival wasn't breathing and I was beginning to worry. I put my paws on his chest and pressed down, nothing happened. Knowing if I brought pounce back I would be blamed I pushed harder. I choked suddenly as my paws began to glow, lightning shot out of my claws and into Pounce's body. Pounce had been given a good shock, but it jump started his heart. He sat up coughing and sputtering. He thanked me and I helped him back to the junkyard, still amazed. When Munkustrap asked why we looked like drowned rats Coricopat, whom had met us earlier and read through my mind, answered for me. Munkustrap decided to take me to Old D and ask for help. Old D just told me to choose how I would use my magic.

"You can choose between good and evil, but it is your choice to make. It is shame to have powers, the only way that makes you special is how you choose to use it." He had said, and then we all left him be.

During my first Jellicle Ball I used my magic before the tribe to bring back Old D when he was kidnapped by Macavity. Later when we met Grizabella again, I shunned her, but she sang meaningful words to the tribe and I turned to look at her.

Memory, turn your face to the moonlight,

Let your memory lead you,

Open up, enter in,

If you find there, the meaning of what happiness is,

Then a new life will begin

Memory, all alone in the moonlight,

I can smile at the old days,

I was beautiful then,

I remember, the time I knew what happiness was,

Let the memory live again

Burnt-out ends of smoky days,

The stale cold smell of morning,

A street lamp dies,

Another night is over,

Another day is dawning,

Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise,

I must think of a new life,

And I mustn't give in,

When the dawn comes,

Tonight will be a memory too,

And a new day will begin,

Sunlight through the trees in summer,

Endless masquerading,

Like a flower, the dawn is breaking,

The memory is fading

Touch me! It's so easy to leave me,

All alone in the memory,

Of my days in the sun,

If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is,

Look, a new day has begun

I touched her hands as she was accepted, and I then knew the meaning of happiness as I watched it shine in her eyes. Then, as she said, a new day for me began.