In this sentimental, didactic fable, Masson imagines how the lone, nonsocial, domesticated animal came to share hearth and home.Billi, an Asian leopard cat, lives in a mango forest in ancient India. He enjoys his independence, but he feels pangs of loneliness and curiosity about the 'two-foots.' He learns their languages - Hindi, Malayam and Sanskrit - and he can 'see the appeal of south India’s three major religions.'Billi embarks on a quest to learn more about humans by discovering what their animals think of them. A water buffalo mourns being underappreciated; a parrot bemoans his cage; a mongoose tells a chilling story about human ingratitude. Billi reminds a cow that it’s worshipped by humans. 'Oh, great,' the cow says. 'That and five rupees will get you a chapati.'Nine months of travel and no truly good word for humans leaves Billi undeterred and, back home, he seeks out a young girl he’d often watched. It’s not easy proving his good intentions or trying to be 'the only animal to have a mutually satisfying relationship with humans,' but Billi makes it happen in a story that’s heartwarming not only for the passionate cat fan but for all readers.A novelette from the author of Raising the Peaceable Kingdom.