Many years later, after Joko and Wefa had died, and Noi and Noia grew old themselves, Miao returned to the village. 

“Hello kittens.”

“Hello Miao. We are far from kittens these days. We have grown old and tired and can no longer hunt,” Noi said with a sigh. 

“But we have many kittens of our own who hunt for us,” Noia said with a smile. 

Miao nodded. “That is the way of it,” she said. “But you could hunt with me again. In fact, you could hunt with me forever if you wished.” 

Noi and Noia looked surprised. “But how?” “We cats have our ways. Many cats have nine lives, but I’ve lived many more than that. If you accept my offer, you could live as many lives as you wish." 

Noi was eager to hunt again, but Noia paused, looking sadly back at the village. “What about our children? Our kittens? And their kittens? What will they do without us?” 

“Once you make the change, you can go wherever you wish. If your wish is to stay here, or hunt with me, that is your choice.” 

With that, Noi and Noia, followed Miao into the forest, and a few hours later, a tiny black cat, and a fluffy white cat emerged, heads held high, back into the clearing with their nightly catch still wriggling in their jaws.