A Walk Beneath the Moon
Cats who live on the streets grow accustomed to sudden goodbyes. A companion who had always been there might vanish overnight to Cat Star, or be chosen by humans and never seen again. For Gkamnyangi, who had endured more farewells than he could ever count, parting was neither new nor remarkable. It was simply a phenomenon, no different from rain or snow arriving when the season called for it.
But in this moment, the thought of goodbye—of never seeing her again—struck Gkamnyangi with a force too great to bear.
"Never… see her again?"
He sank to the floor, his face the picture of a cat who had lived through the end of the world.
Hoesaegi offered what comfort he could.
"Gkamnyangi-ong, there's always tomorrow-ong."
They had met so many times already, and nothing had ever come of it. What difference would tomorrow make?
We'd finally gotten close. She even smiled at me…
Gkamnyangi trudged into a corner and huddled there, pressing his head against the wall, on the verge of tears. That was when Hyung-nim came over and stroked his head.
"So you're upset because you can't go to the Community Welfare Center anymore."
He had already been miserable enough. The moment Hyung-nim's gentle hand touched him, the sorrow welled up twice as strong. The fact that after tomorrow he would never again see the beautiful Lady Nana cut through him like a blade. At last, he burst into open crying.
"Waaaaah!"
Weeping in Hyung-nim's arms, Gkamnyangi thought, If I'd known it would come to this, I never should have waited for the flowers to bloom. I should have just asked her to walk with me under the moon.
He was still sobbing when Hyung-nim spoke again.
"There, there. The grandmas and grandpas are sad too, you know. They said they won't get to see you as often as they do now. So tomorrow we'll go, eat lots of delicious things with them, sleep soundly, and make a mountain of memories. We'll take plenty of pictures, too."
Even through his tears, Gkamnyangi caught every word. Eat, and sleep, and come back? Something about that struck him as odd, even as he cried—but the mention of photographs snapped him wide awake. He lifted his head, and Hoesaegi seemed to have had the same thought.
"But Hyung-nim-ong! Are we going there to take a nap-ong?"
Ah. So he meant a nap.
What good was a nap? After tomorrow he wouldn't see Lady Nana anyway. Gkamnyangi was in the middle of lamenting this when a new thought struck him.
Wait. No—that means I'll get to see Lady Nana sleeping. How beautiful must that be?
And then, another piece of good news.
Heh. I can take pictures with Lady Nana!
The thought of being photographed together sent a sudden rush of strength through him. As long as he had those pictures, he could take them out and look at them whenever he missed her.
Then came news that lifted his spirits even higher.
"Ah, I didn't mention it, did I? It isn't a nap. You'll be staying overnight."
"Why are we sleeping over-ong?"
"The grandmas and grandpas said they want to spend a night with you."
Yahoo!
Gkamnyangi bounced in place as if he had never shed a single tear.
"Heheheheh! Moonlight! Moonlight!"
He let out the strangest noises and danced a full, gleeful jig.
Watch Gkamnyangi—and Hoesaegi and Sapsaree right along with him—carry on in delight, Go Gi-jin spoke up.
"Hyung-nim."
"Yeah?"
"Them little ones sure are over the moon. Reckon they've grown real attached to the grandmas and grandpas."
"The grandmas and grandpas treated them so well. And like you said, I think Sapsaree was the one who ended up getting the therapy."
Lee Jun smiled, warm and content, at the sight of Sapsaree—who had learned to love people.
"Lookin' at 'em, I bet the grandmas and grandpas were just as fond of 'em, huh? Must've been real hard, thinkin' they won't see these little ones no more."
"They were sad, yes. They said they'll form their own gathering so they can still meet, but how many times a year would they actually see these kids? That's why—starting about two weeks ago, I think—the whole group chat at the Community Welfare Center turned into, 'What joy is left in life if we can't see these precious little ones? We're going to miss them so much.'"
"I figured as much. You don't notice a seat fillin' up, but you sure feel it when it's empty."
"That's right."
"And not a single one of 'em's skippin' out, you said?"
"Mm. As long as nothing comes up."
"But how'd you come up with holdin' the wrap-up at a country lodge?"
"A lodge…" Lee Jun's eyes grew moist. "I always wanted to go to one with Grandfather and Kongdol-i."
"…So that's how it was."
Kindhearted Go Gi-jin pressed his lips together at Lee Jun's words. Just hearing it, he could guess how lonely Lee Jun must have been.
"And there's another reason."
"That so?"
"Yeah. You know this already—petting them and holding them is wonderful, but sleeping beside them is even better. The bond grows that much deeper."
"Aigoo, 'course it is. When this little rascal Sapsaree first climbed up on my bed and slept there, I was over the moon. Same for them, too. Means they've opened their hearts right up, don't it?"
"Exactly. I wanted the elders to feel that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just what I said. They told me, 'If we'd known these little ones could bring this much joy, if we'd only known ten years sooner, we would have raised one ourselves.'"
"They could just raise one, couldn't they? Ah—reckon that might be too much for 'em, though?"
"That's part of it. But more than that, they seem afraid of leaving a companion animal behind when they pass."
"Ah. So that's what it is."
Go Gi-jin had simply assumed that frail elders would find it hard to care for a dog or a cat. He hadn't imagined a meaning deeper than that.
The mood turned quietly solemn, and Gkamnyangi—who had been leaping with joy—along with Hoesaegi and Sapsaree, who had been racing around the living room in similar high spirits, came trotting over and sat down beside them. Lee Jun stroked Hoesaegi, who had settled right at his side, and went on.
"That's why I thought, even if it's only for a single day, it would be wonderful for the elders to spend time with them. Not just an hour or two at the welfare center, but the whole day. Eating together, laughing, going for walks. Taking afternoon naps…"
"And it's nice havin' friends to talk to, besides."
"I'm sure it is. Watching them ask after one another has been a real pleasure."
Elders who had once been sunk in depression were now worrying over one another's well-being, becoming each other's strength. Kim Kang-hoon, who had been volunteering for the past ten years, had said with genuine delight that he had never seen a cohort of elders form bonds this close.
"Honestly, if President Namgoong hadn't helped us, it would have stayed an idea and nothing more. Taking the elders somewhere isn't a simple thing."
"That's true. That man's got a real generous streak, don't he?"
After conceiving the plan, Lee Jun had sought advice from the legal team at Namgoong Hyun's company: would it be permissible to take the elders on a trip? The answer that came back was that Namgoong Hyun would provide a medical team. And the venue, besides.
"Mm. I was grateful—and then the president thanked me, which threw me completely."
Just as Lee Jun said, Namgoong Hyun had instead thanked him for creating an opportunity to give back to society. He had even added that he intended to keep supporting them going forward.
Research had shown that sleeping alongside a companion animal improved the quality of rest. The psychological comfort and sense of security deepened sleep, which meant that people struggling with depression or anxiety often slept better with a dog beside them. The therapy animals they had met at the welfare center were not the elders' own pets, but given the affection built up over all this time, the effect would surely be there.
It was this therapeutic promise, together with Lee Jun's own wish, that had given rise to the overnight trip. It was not mandatory. Only those who wanted to come, and each participant could bring one companion—a spouse, a family member, a relative, a friend. Bonds had already formed among the cohort, and a considerable attachment had grown toward the animals as well. They had been delighted. And so every last member of Jang Pan-ho's therapy group was scheduled to attend, without a single absence.
The next day, before so much as a hint of dawn had touched the sky, a savory aroma drifted through Jang Pan-ho's house.
"Hoho, you're preparing an awful lot, aren't you?"
"An awful lot? Hardly. If your classmates and the teachers are going to eat, we'll need at least this much."
"I only worry you'll wear yourself out."
His wife had been shopping and cooking for days. He said it because he was concerned for her.
"Wear myself out? Not at all."
Jang Pan-ho's wife, Yoo Yeonju, smiled as she neatly packed the food into lunchboxes. She was not tired in the slightest. What could be hard about serving a delicious meal to the ones who had eased her husband's heart—and given her, too, a reason to smile?
"If anything, I'm sorry I couldn't offer them something even nicer."
"Hoho. Hearing you say that makes me the grateful one."
"When we have the chance later, let's invite them over and serve them a proper hot meal."
"Yes. Let's do that."
Jang Pan-ho was grateful for a wife who thought of others this way.
Yoo Yeonju had been up since before dawn assembling the lunchboxes. There were mini gimbap rolls and inari sushi; ginkgo nuts, chestnuts, and jujubes; and bite-sized mounds of nutritious sticky rice mixed with minced lotus root. Soft, one-bite tteokgalbi patties sat beside white-fish meatballs small enough to eat in a single mouthful, along with a silky mousse of boiled and mashed potato and sweet potato. For those with delicate stomachs, she had filled a large thermos with pumpkin porridge, and another with dried-pollack soup. As the broth poured in with a gentle trickle, a savory, clean aroma spread through the kitchen.
Nor was that all. She had prepared lunchboxes for the animals as well—Sapsaree, Bangwool-i, Hoesaegi, Gkamnyangi, Bongbong, Banana, Lady Nana, and all the rest. Dishes made from ingredients safe for both cats and dogs had been packed into tiny, adorable lunchboxes shaped like puppies and kittens.
Looking at those lunchboxes, Jang Pan-ho smiled with quiet pleasure.
"They'll enjoy it, won't they?"
"Of course they will. They'll eat every bite."
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. And when the time came, the bus that would carry them pulled up in front of the house. As part of the Animal-Assisted Therapy program, a one-night, two-day stay with the animals had begun. The two of them boarded the bus with bright faces.
At the same hour, Gkamnyangi, riding in Lee Jun's car, was beside himself with excitement.
"We're going! Heheheheh!"
Hoesaegi and Sapsaree were just as thrilled.
"We're sleepin' with Grandpa!"
"This is going to be fun-ong!"
All three of them wriggled their hindquarters with delight the entire way to their destination.
An hour later, they arrived at last at the place where they would spend the night. The yard was wide open, and there were quite a few trees that looked perfect for climbing. The three of them hopped down from the car and bounced in place.
"It'll be great for runnin' around, and for walks too!"
So saying, Sapsaree took off at a pounding run.
"I'm going to climb that tree-ong!"
It was so open you could keep watch all the way to the far distance. Hoesaegi said as much, and up the tree he went.
"I'm climbing too."
That way he could watch for when Lady Nana arrived. Gkamnyangi slipped up the tree after Hoesaegi.
Time passed, and their friends began to arrive one after another. Bangwool-i raced around the yard with Sapsaree, Bongbong claimed a spot up in a tree, and Banana sprawled out on the raised wooden platform. And then Lady Nana came.
Sniff sniff sniff.
Even before she appeared, Gkamnyangi had already begun to grin.
"She's here. Lady Nana is here!"
He scrambled down from the tree, dashed to the entrance, and welcomed her.
"How lovely to see you. What a wonderful place this is."
Hoesaegi had appeared at his side without a sound and gave him a nudge. Then he spoke with his eyes. Tell her you'll show her around-ong!
R-right.
Gkamnyangi thanked Hoesaegi with a look, then opened his mouth.
"Lady Nana. Allow me to show you around."
"Hohoho. Would you, please?"
Walking along beside Lady Nana, Gkamnyangi was shouting Hooray! Hooray! inside his head. He had agonized over where to pick flowers to present to her—whether he ought to pull up some grass, or offer her a glittering bead. And now, this easily, he was strolling side by side with Lady Nana.
Heh. At last!
He was just about to walk the yard with her, his heart soaring, when the bus carrying the grandmas and grandpas arrived. Everyone hurried to greet them. Lady Nana, of course, ran to the elders as well.
"La…dy."
Gkamnyangi had lost a rare opportunity. But he was fond of the grandmas and grandpas too, so he ran after her. And after that, chances scarcely came at all.
He was disappointed not to have walked with Lady Nana—but good things arrived in abundance. The grandmas and grandpas heaped praise on him.
"Aigoo, look at you. You look so handsome out here. So handsome."
"Don't they just? Hoesaegi too, and Gkamnyangi—they're all such fine-looking children."
There was delicious food, besides.
"Good heavens, Mrs. Yoo, your hands are far too skilled."
"This is wonderful."
"Look at theirs, though. They're too precious. Come here, little ones, come eat."
The cats and dogs each pulled a lunchbox close and ate, and Gkamnyangi, luckily, managed to claim the spot right beside Lady Nana.
"Lady Nana, please enjoy your meal."
"You have some too, Gkamnyangi."
It wasn't food he had prepared himself, but Gkamnyangi's chest swelled all the same. L-Lady Nana told me to eat.
And that was not all. The cats, who loved warm places, found the rooms the grandmas had gone into utterly delightful. No matter where they rolled, the floor was toasty, and it was wonderful.
"The floor is so warm-ong!"
"Friends! It's toasty-toasty—so nice!"
"Heehee, Hyung-nims, come lie down! It's ever so toasty!"
Everyone claimed a spot and stretched out, looking thoroughly pleased, and Lady Nana seemed to like it too.
"It really is. Hoho, it's so wonderfully warm."
Before long, a low, rumbling purr of snoring could be heard. The cats had pressed themselves to the floor and slipped into sleep. But Gkamnyangi could not sleep. He was too busy watching Lady Nana rest to close his own eyes. Bathed in the sunlight by the window, purring softly through her nap, Lady Nana was dazzlingly beautiful.
Hah. I've eaten a meal with Lady Nana, and I've seen her sleeping… Now all that's left is the moonlight walk.
Gkamnyangi's heart swelled.
And at last, moonlight spilled across the yard. Gazing up at the gentle moon, Gkamnyangi could feel his heart pounding hard and fast. The time had come. And yet, when he actually tried to approach Lady Nana, his paws would not move.
Hss. Hooo.
He kept drawing breath in and letting it out—and then, with a soft tap, a yellow flower dropped in front of his eyes. Gkamnyangi's eyes went round.
"A-a flower?"
In that instant, a solid little weight landed on his shoulder.
"Gkamnyangi-ong! You can do it-ong!"
"Hey, pal! I believe in you."
"Hyung-nim, you've gotta succeed!"
Hoesaegi, Banana, and Bongbong had each raised a front paw and given Gkamnyangi's shoulder a firm pat.
"Th-thank you."
Buoyed by his friends' encouragement, Gkamnyangi drew a great breath and walked toward Lady Nana. Step, step, step. Even his gait was brave.
Perhaps it was his friends' support, but the words came out smoothly.
"Shall we?"
Walking with Lady Nana beneath the moonlight, Gkamnyangi was happier than he had ever been.
A cat's life is truly beautiful.