Pohuts Maryna, 18 years old

Winner of the 2025 essay competition, 3rd place

Lyceum No. 5 named after Ivanna and Illia Kokorudz, Lviv City Council

Teacher who inspired the writing of the essay – Konoval Olena Olehivna

“The event that changed everything. The power of help"

A flock of crows sat low on the bare branches of the trees, silently observing the life around. But the air had grown colder long before the point of no return came. Feathery clouds overhead signaled the approach of a storm. It seemed that Bohdanchyk — a half-stray cat — sensed this pressure too. Children loved the old fellow, because he was always gentle, climbed into their arms, gladly accepted treats. His gentleness was thanks to Granny Nastusia: formally she was his guardian, and she was the one who gave him his name.

The name once belonged to her son who was killed in 2014, because almost right after that tragedy, a frail black kitten found shelter with this woman.  

It was very strange how, in those days,  Bohdanchyk’s black fur stood on end. With eyes wide open, he followed passersby at their heels and meowed loudly. This worried Nastia greatly, because she herself felt it – something was going to happen. It was the night of February 24. Bohdanchyk was desperately scratching at Nastia’s door until she let him into the apartment.

“What’s gotten into you, Bohdanchyk? I’m afraid I’ll have to take you to the vet tomorrow,” she said, picking him up and pressing him tightly to her chest.

A rumble. Maybe she imagined it? Was it thunder starting? No, it was definitely shelling. Bohdanchyk flinched, because he recognized those sounds from when he was still a kitten. Nastia held the cat tighter: a hum roared in her ears, her heart froze. Her hands quickly began gathering documents, food, medicine – everything that might come in handy. That moment changed everything. Evil – the full-scale invasion of our country brought by the Russian onslaught. God, how can one believe that war would come to our quiet and peaceful city?

From that moment on, nothing could ever be the same.

Bohdanchyk and Nastia went down to the basement, where many of their neighbors were already gathered. For several days they sat as if on pins and needles. They held on as best they could. With each passing day it became harder and harder: water was gone, electricity disappeared, finding food grew more difficult. So everyone tried to help one another. It distracted them and gave them hope – goodness still exists. It must be protected. Nastia wouldn’t let Bohdanchyk out of her arms, kept holding him tightly while she cooked soup over a fire made of broken furniture from the last bits of potatoes, instant noodles, and who knows what else.

Bohdanchyk became everyone’s favorite – the main source of comfort. He sat obediently when children’s little hands tugged at his fur, ears, and even tail. If Nastia wasn’t watching, he would run off with people to search for food and victims among the ruins of buildings. He sensed them with some kind of feline sixth sense.

Boom!... Another missile strike – and again, everything changed. The entrance where Nastia and her neighbors were at the time collapsed. The woman became trapped in her own building. Unbearable pain gripped her just before darkness fell. When the danger seemed to have subsided a little, volunteers rushed to look for victims. Brick by brick, steel rods – pushed aside. Suddenly, they heard a plaintive meow. And soon they found the source of the sound – Bohdanchyk. He was all gray from dust, one eye squinted. The animal cried out louder when he realized help had come. The cat walked in circles, not letting anyone pick him up or help. 

As if he were pleading: “Wait, you have to save her life too.” Soon they found Nastia as well; they barely managed to free her from under the rubble. The suffering woman was covered in bruises, one shard had shattered her leg. But the main thing – she was alive.  

When Nastia woke up, at first she didn’t understand where she was. White light was shining in her eyes. Suddenly, she heard a voice: – How are you feeling?

A man was sitting on a chair. At first, she couldn’t recognize him. – Seems like I’m alive… Who are you?

– My name is Andrii, your neighbor, remember? I took you to another city, to a hospital. I had to make sure you would be okay.

Now Nastia remembered – it really was her neighbor. A young father of two children, together with his family they had left the city when the war began. The question hung in the air, and the man explained that his wife and children had left their home right at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. But later he realized he couldn’t just sit idly by – he started volunteering, evacuating people from frontline towns.

All Nastia could offer in response were thousands of words of gratitude. Then suddenly she remembered: – Do you know where Bohdanchyk is? A black cat?

Andrii smiled gently: – He didn’t leave your side for a single moment. I was afraid he’d scratch me to pieces if something happened to you.  – So where is Bohdanchyk? – At the vet’s. Something hit his eye. He might lose it permanently.

Later he left her alone in the hospital room. A few days after surgery, Andrii managed to get the cat allowed into Nastia’s room. The cat first began exploring the room. Suspiciously, he sniffed the smell of medicine. 

But not for long. Soon he jumped on the bed and began rubbing his head against Nastia’s face. It seemed to her that his eyes had grown moist – just like hers. She turned her gaze away.

Outside the window, the sun was shining over the rooftops of Khrushchyovkas. The trees were still bare and black. Suddenly Nastia realized she was looking around for the first time in a month. This city was not that far from her hometown. Over there she could see a bombed-out building, just like hers. She hadn’t wanted to leave her home, but now there was nowhere to return to.

The only happiness that miraculously couldn’t be taken away – was Bohdanchyk and the hope that one day this war would end. The storm would pass, a bright golden dawn would come, and swallows would fly high in the sky.