The Importance of Cleanliness

Vishal loved his pet cat, Katy, a lot. She was unique, smart, and looked pretty with fur as smooth as silk.

- Lalit Shaurya

Vishal did not stay away from her for even a minute. From the time he returned from school to when he left for school again, he played with her. Katy loved him too. She walked to him, twined among his legs and played around in his arms.

Vishal's mother told him to wash his hands with soap after handling Katy, especially before eating. But he did not listen. When Vishal went to school, his mother cleaned Katy thoroughly, so she would not carry any infection. Katy liked bathing and playing in the water.

But Vishal was not keen on bathing-he hardly took a shower. His mother kept telling him, but he would not listen; he did what he wanted. She forced him to shower on Sundays as he was becoming increasingly unclean.

"Vishal, you're growing up! You would be best if you took care of your cleanliness. How long will I have to keep on getting you to wash? You must be responsible for it yourself," she said one day.