How did the idea for this story emerge?
It took shape over a period of time. Part of it was fiction. For 15 years, I was content being in journalism. I took a long time to give myself permission to write a cat book. There was a real Miao (who plays the clan elder in the book) in my life. About 16 years ago, we acquired a cat and called her Mara — we rescued it from its unfriendly surroundings, courtesy a drainpipe and stray dogs. She was the size of one’s palm, but a little terrorist! To think of it, Mara was torturing the dogs, and so when my cousin called to inform about this kitten, it was as much to rescue her as it was to rescue the dogs!