This happened a long time ago, in a land called Aryavarta. This was a land of mighty kings and wise sages. This was a time when young children were sent off to live with their teacher to obtain their education at his feet and learn their lessons in humility. Our story is set in one such Gurukul, an institute not very different from the modern day residential schools. An old and wise sage was the revered 'Guru' of this institute and scores of students had learnt at his feet.

The students were required to assemble under the peepal tree early in the morning to receive their Guru's teachings. Now it so happened that a sleek black cat had made the Gurukul her home. Just when the Guru would start reciting the hymns, the cat would appear out of nowhere and would start frolicking among the students. This amused the  students a great deal. Howsoever hard they tried to keep a straight face, in deference to their teacher, a few titters and chuckles would invariably escape their mouths. The wise Guru was well aware of this source of distraction, but tried to ignore it as best as he could. With a strict glare and a throaty 'Hurrm", he would silence any stray titters, and bring the students back to attention.

Lack of punishment emboldened the cat, and finally the day came when she crossed all limits. The Guru was demonstrating to the students , the fine art of meditation, when the cat suddenly jumped on to his lap and attempted to stroke his long white beard with her paw. The students just could not stop laughing and the meditation lessons had to be suspended for the day.
The next day, the students found a wooden placard nailed to the peepal tree. It had a new rule written on it in bold letters -

"Thou shall fetch the cat before thou begin thy lessons".

There was a wooden cage placed next to the placard, indicating exactly what was to be done with the cat once it was caught.

And so, every morning the cat was caught and caged until the end of the day's lessons. Then it was given a saucer of milk and set free. This routine was followed religiously, and everyone was happy.

As time rolled by, the old Guru died and his place was taken by another. Batches of student came and went and things rolled on smoothly. One day, the cat also died.
As the Guru walked out to the peepal tree, he found the students distraught and confused. "What is the matter, children?", he asked.
One student came forward and told him that the cat was dead. He pointed to the placard

"Thou shall fetch the cat before thou begin thy lessons".

They really did not know what to do. The wise Guru smiled benevolently at his students; their helplessness amused him. Of course, he was their Guru; he must show them the way.

"The cat is a symbol of education. Just as the cat's eyes enables it to see in the dark, education imparts the learner the ability to see through the darkness of ignorance. That is why we always fetch a cat, worship it and study at its feet. Look at the age-old placard. There can be no lessons without a cat. Here - take some money ! Go and fetch a new cat for our Gurukul."

The students took the day off, went to the nearby city and brought back a sleek back cat similar to the one that had died. And so, every morning the cat was worshipfully summoned and placed in its cage beside the Guru himself, until the end of the day's lessons. Then it was offered a saucer of milk and everyone waited in humility until it finished the milk and walked away. This routine was followed religiously, and everyone was happy.

This story is very dear to me. It was told to me by my teacher when I was five years old. He departed from this world ten years ago, but lives on in my heart.