On my way home on a recent Sunday, I saw a white cat lying in the middle of the road, which is unusual. I almost took out my phone to take a picture until I saw a young ginger cat next to her (or him), bleeding around the mouth with flies already gathering in the 38C degree heat. I later discovered it had been hit by a car about five minutes before I arrived. It brought back memories of all the animals I’ve seen die when I was young. I had the feeling that the much older white cat was paying his respects to his friend. As I got close, s/he got up quickly, obviously agitated, and walked away, only to later return. (This story is one reason why my cat, if I had one, would not be an outdoor cat.)

Like other animals, cats do respond to the death or absence of a companion. While they may not have friendships like human beings, they do notice the change, the lack of response and movement. Staying near the body is one common behavior.

I asked one of my digital servants to write a short story as the basis for a song in memory of this cat.

The street was quiet that Sunday afternoon, the kind of quiet that feels borrowed, like something might interrupt it at any moment.

He had always loved this stretch of road.

The young ginger cat—small, bright, and endlessly curious—treated the world like it was made just for him. Every fallen leaf was a toy. Every shadow was something to chase. He didn’t know fear the way older cats did. The road was just another open space to cross, another place where the wind carried interesting smells.

Somewhere nearby, his friend watched.

The white cat was different—careful, observant. He had learned the rhythm of the street: the sudden roar, the blur of motion, the danger that came without warning. He stayed close to the edges, to the safety of walls and gardens.

But the ginger one never stayed long.

A sound broke the stillness.

Too fast. Too close.

And then—nothing.

The world seemed to pause again, but not in the same way as before. The leaves stopped rustling. Even the air felt heavier.

Minutes passed.

Then the white cat stepped out.

Slowly. Hesitantly.

He approached the middle of the road, each step deliberate, as if hoping—perhaps—that things would look different up close. That this was a mistake. That his friend would jump up any second, shake it off, and dart away like always.

But the ginger cat didn’t move.

The white cat circled once, then again, smaller this time. He lowered himself beside the still body, pressing close, as if sharing warmth might somehow bring it back.

He stayed there.

Cars passed more slowly now, giving space, but the white cat didn’t notice. His world had narrowed to that one spot on the road. He rested his head gently against his friend, eyes half-closed, not asleep, not awake—just there.

The sun shifted. Shadows grew longer.

And still, he didn’t leave.

Because sometimes, when the world changes too suddenly, the only thing you can do is stay beside what you’ve lost… just a little while longer.

Below are the lyrics of the song Stay a Little While (Elegy for a Ginger Cat). While there is some poetic license, it poignantly and rather accurately captures what happened. Music, even if “AI-powered and human-assisted,” is a way for me to express myself and process a range of emotions. I mourn the loss of all life, human, animal, plants, and trees. For non-native speakers of English who may not know, an elegy is “a serious, melancholic poem or song that laments the dead, often reflecting on loss, mourning, and consolation.” The song expresses perfectly what I witnessed and felt.

Stay a Little While (Elegy for a Ginger Cat)

Verse 1
On a quiet Sunday street, nothing much to see
Just the wind and fallen leaves, dancing lazily
You were chasing little ghosts only you could find
Golden fur in fading light, racing through your time

Pre-Chorus
I was watching from the side
Like I always do

Chorus
And I didn’t know the world could break so fast
One moment here, the next just in the past
So I lay down where your heartbeat used to be
If you won’t wake up… I’ll stay for you, you’ll see
Just a little while
Just a little while

Verse 2
The road was just a road until it took you there
Now it holds a piece of you in the open air
I walk slow, I don’t breathe, I don’t understand
Why the world keeps moving on like it always planned

Pre-Chorus
I keep calling in my mind
Like you’ll come back through

Chorus
And I didn’t know the world could break so fast
One moment here, the next just in the past
So I lay down where your heartbeat used to be
If you won’t wake up… I’ll stay for you, you’ll see
Just a little while
Just a little while

Bridge
Maybe you’re just dreaming somewhere warm and far
Chasing endless light beneath a softer star
If I close my eyes, I swear I feel you near
So I’ll stay right here… I’ll stay right here

Final Chorus
Yeah, I didn’t know a heart could hurt like this
In the silence where I still expect your steps
So I lay down where your shadow fades to grey
If you’re gone too far… I’ll guard this place you stayed
Just a little while
Just a little while

Outro
On a quiet Sunday street… I’m still by your side
Where the leaves and memories fall… and never say goodbye

Version 1

Version 2