The Cat and the Moon (Prologue)

It was cold.

The strong winter breeze kissed the child's delicate skin, sending shivers down his back, as he travel to a place of hope. A place of learning and growth: Elementary school.

Adults in thick linen and scarves lined at the school gates as they await their children's dismissal for the winter break.

The child felt envious.

He glanced at the paintings that he made on broken planks of wood, hoping that he'll sell some for supper. Hands shaking and stomach grumbling, he approached the aisle of parents and asked each and everyone of them one by one to consider his art.

The paintings he made wasn't really magnificent. But for a child at his age, they were extraordinary. Adults took a glance at this work, then turned.

A loud sound was suddenly heard. The bell.

The gates were pushed open, unleashing an ocean of children, running towards their parents above the thick snow.

The child smiled. Would they want to play with me? He thought.

He approached some. But what the parents are, are also the child. Not a single one of them paid attention to him. The cold air drizzled around his body and the cold atmosphere encapsulated his heart.

He wanted to leave that place. And so he did. He tried. Before he could take a step, a hand pulled the hem of his shirt, stopping him from walking away.

A hand of a student. Approximately at the same age as him. "What?" he asked. "Aren't you s-selling those?" the student asked, pointing at the painting that the child had made. "Yes."

"I'd like to buy that one," the student pointed at the painting of a cat, looking at the moon. "How much would you give me for it?"

"I don't r-really have m-much, but I have this c-coin," he showed a coin. "What's this? It looks different than a normal coin. It's even thicker than usual. Is this worth anything?" the child interrogated.

"Uhm, uh. You c-could just say no if you don't w-want it," the student replied.

He thought for a moment. He knew that the coin might give him nothing. But a part of him wanted the feeling of someone, appreciating his work. He agreed and the student left happily with the painting.