He lovingly cared for a group of dogs and cats who eagerly awaited his presence each day. These homeless animals found solace and hope in his daily visits, their tails wagging with joy at his arrival. However, one day he did not show up. It was not due to forgetfulness or illness, but because he had peacefully passed away in his sleep.
As his soul stood before the Angel, ready to enter Paradise, he was forgiven for his sins and granted entry. Yet a ripple of concern crossed his eyes, and he hesitated. Unseen by the Angel, he remained on Earth among his beloved pets whom he could no longer care for. Despite his physical absence, his spirit remained with them, bringing them comfort and joy.
However, the Demon insisted that the man belonged to him, claiming that the Angel could not find a replacement for him in just three days. The Angel urged the man to let go of his earthly attachments and accompany him, but the man chose to stay with his animal companions, unwilling to leave them behind.
"It is not within your authority to dictate to me," the Angel replied.
The soul of the man then turned towards the Demon, inquiring, "What if I choose to do it myself? Can you find a replacement for me? Can you aid them?"
The Demon responded with a sneer, saying, "Me? If you take the initiative, then maybe... Maybe I could lend a hand."
"No!!!" shouted the Angel. "Do not trust him! I have three days and I can..."
"In three days, I will depart with you," the man's soul informed the Demon. "With you, but... Remember your pledge!"
"Remember yours as well," the Demon chuckled before vanishing.
And then, the soul disappeared too, leaving the Angel alone...
"Three days. Three!" echoed in the Angel's mind. "You only have three days. Then you will no longer be able to help him!"
As the Angel tirelessly searched far and wide...
He peered into the faces and eyes of individuals purchasing food at a nearby supermarket. He attempted to reach the souls of those passing by a group of starving cats and dogs.
He scoured amongst the rich and poor, the old and young. He exhausted every effort to find a substitute, but...
A day passed, followed by a second, and then another twenty-three hours of the third day. Yet, no replacement was found, and it appeared as though the human soul would forever be lost in the depths of suffering.
But precisely one hour before the deadline, a touch came upon his right shoulder. Turning around, he was met by a tall man clad in an extravagant black suit with a black coat draped over it. In his right hand, he held a cane.
"What is your purpose?" inquired the Angel. "Have you arrived to gloat? The time is not yet up. I have an hour..."
"And what can you achieve in an hour?" the tall man in the black suit smiled, with a grin that barely touched his lips.
"I did not come to offer aid," he stated. "Not to assist, but to uphold your promise. For there remains little hope for you."
"Why do you require it?" inquired the Angel. "For what purpose?"
"You fail to comprehend," retorted the Demon. "I am merely fulfilling my promise. Step aside and allow me to attempt. There is less than an hour remaining."
The angel retreated. A man in a black suit raised his right hand, holding a cane, and...
Everything in the surroundings froze. Time came to a standstill. The cars zooming down the road halted, the street cleaners with brooms frozen mid-motion.
People exiting the supermarket and the birds going about their activities were all suspended in time. Even the wind ceased to blow.
Approaching a man carrying a toolbox, the demon retrieved a screwdriver and then proceeded to a woman pushing a shopping cart towards her car.
Placing a large package of sausages atop the cart, he unscrewed the screws on one of the front wheels, directing the woman's gaze towards the hungry cats and dogs nearby.
"Violence," remarked the Angel, yet the man in the black suit remained silent.
Moving on to another individual, a passerby in a rush to work, he redirected their path.
"Violence," the Angel reiterated, but the man in the black coat stayed silent once more.
With a motion of his cane, time resumed its flow as if nothing had occurred...
As the woman resumed pushing her cart, the wheel dislodged from the rim, causing the cart to tip over and spill onto the pavement.
The sausages flew out of the cart due to the impact, landing close to the cats and dogs who had been hungering for days.
Surprised, the woman screamed, drawing the attention of a passing man who rushed to aid her.
Witnessing this, the dogs and cats cautiously approached the sausages, eyeing both the food and the people nearby with hope and trepidation.
The woman encouraged them, offering reassurance and care as she abandoned her shopping to tend to the hungry animals. Hope sparked in their eyes as they eagerly devoured the unexpected meal.
Engaging in conversation while petting the animals, the man asked the woman if she was fond of animals to which she replied enthusiastically, blushing lightly.
"And I love you," the man expressed, joining her in comforting and feeding the furry companions.
In the midst of this scene, time stood still for them, while...
Cars whizzed by, birds continued their flight, janitors swept the pavement, and individuals hurried about their tasks.
The Angel glanced at the Demon, stating, "You may not receive praise for this."
"And how shall they punish you?" the Demon smirked. "Send me to Hell?"
The angel chuckled, the Demon joining in the laughter.
In that moment, the Angel locked eyes with the Demon, perceiving something that cannot be conveyed.
Meanwhile, the soul ascended along a slender beam. The man reappeared before the Angel, welcomed into Paradise.
"Self-sacrifice," the Angel remarked. "However, you no longer have a path here."
The man lowered his head, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Well, well," he responded. "I was aware of what I was stepping into."
"I doubt it..." the Angel murmured softly.
As the man prepared to depart, the Angel inquired, "Where are you headed?"
"To where?" the man expressed surprise. "Back. I have no path here."
At that moment, a messenger angel materialized beside him.
"There is another destination for you," the messenger spoke. "Come with me. There is a purpose awaiting you. You will join our ranks. This is your penance...
You will guide souls and aid both them and humanity. Although you may soon regret not staying there, you can make a difference. Perhaps not always, perhaps rarely, or maybe...
You may never achieve success, but hope endures.
What will you choose? What decision will you make? You wield free will and freedom of choice, rights that cannot be stripped from you.
Extending his hand to the Angel, the man declared, "I made my choice long ago."
And they vanished...
On the ground, a man and a woman gathered their scattered groceries. Cats and dogs trailed behind them, now residing near the woman's abode.
Each day, they are nurtured and caressed by the man and woman...
The cycle is complete. Harmony is restored. We, as individuals, must stand by him. It is our responsibility, for there is no one else but us.
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