Old Deuteronomy was singing to us. I didn't understand what he was saying. We missed the meaning. Missed the meaning of what? I didn't get it. I looked around. I could see that Ecetera didn't understand either. But this was not the time to ask. I wondered. What was so ineffable? What did we miss the meaning of? I lay there along with the rest of the tribe, trying to understand. There was movement. Tantomile was moving. She leaned over and held her hand out. Coricopat kneeled up and put his hand hers. He put his other hand in Jemima's hand. Jemima rose, looking up at the moon. I had never seen this before. I didn't know what was going on. I was confused and slightly afraid. She began to sing. I realised she was in a trance. I felt warmth and understanding flow through me. Turn your face to the moonlight, let your memory lead you, open up enter in. We had to remember what it was like when Grizabella was part of the tribe. We didn't understand why she left. We were jumping to conclusions. She was not vain but misunderstood. We should accept her again.
After the gathering, Munkustrap came and spoke to me.
"You are the purest of all the Jellicles. You have not excluded or discriminated. You are ready to become a queen."
"Thank you," I said quietly. I was not excited. I did not know why. Becoming a full-fledged queen was something to be celebrated. But being the purest, that was what scared me. That night I went to see Munkustrap for some advice. When I reached his den, I overheard him speaking to Demeter.
"The purest! You shouldn't have told her! Now she will surely be a target for Macavity! What were you thinking?!"
"She is better protected by knowing what she will be up against rather than hiding her from it."
"But now Macavity will be going after someone who cannot defend herself against his strength."
"You cannot either."
"Yes I can."
"Remember last time?"
"I am older now. I know him. She doesn't! I was kidnapped at her age and it has scarred me for life. I don't want the same thing happening to her!"
"She is ready. I will defend her and so will the rest of the tribe."
"Macavity will not rest until he has her and me."
"Then I will not rest until you are safe."
"Okay. I trust you."
I was scared. I didn't want Macavity coming after me! I ran back to my den.
I didn't sleep at all that night. I got up at dawn. No one was in the den. I was confused. I went outside. They were all there. They were all looking at something. I looked over. Grizabella. She limped over. She sung. Her sorrow poured through me. She stopped. Jemima sung. She sung to Grizabella more than anyone else. She told her to never give up. The memories are fading. I needed to give her a chance before it was too late. The next part I heard louder than any other. To understand the true meaning of happiness, accept her again. Grizabella put her hand out. No one else moved. I knew it was up to me. I moved forward. I put my hand in hers. I felt the warmth of happiness years in the making. Almost everyone flooded forward. They all touched her.
When Old Deuteronomy arrived, we all kneeled before him. It was time to make the Jellicle choice. It was Grizabella. She went with him to the place where she would leave us for the Heavyside Layer and come back again as a new cat. They rose to the sky. A doorway opened. Grizabella went through. It closed. She was there. In the place many cats dreamed of but never saw. She was seeing it though. The most worthy of us all. I had saved her. At that moment, I knew why I was christened the purest of all Jellicles.