​Weeks went by, and slowly the villagers gathered up enough courage to see Miao in her weakened state. Some of the men asked to be taught to hunt, with no success. The women pleaded with her, to no avail. The children hid behind their mothers, too scared to look her in her yellow eyes. But Noi and Noia were brave children, and did not hide behind their mother, instead they snuck into Miao’s clearing one night and stood as close as they could get without being in reach of her sharp claws.
“Great Miao,” Noia said, “We see you have grown weak without food or water. Why do you refuse what we offer you?”
“Because I am no kitten that needs to be taken care of. I am the greatest huntress that has ever lived and I’d rather starve than be beholden to another.” ​
“But don’t you see,” Noi replied, “that is how our father feels? He wants to feel like a man and not a kitten.”
“He is no kitten. He is a fool who could never be taught. Kittens can learn to hunt, but he is a full-grown cat without claws.”