A cause is WHY something happens. An effect is WHAT happens. I’m not talking about karma here, you guys — I’m referring to the philosophical concept of casualty or causation. I figure it’s best explained by images.
This kitten is homeless (unless the neighbors decided to claim him/her). When a tame kitten appears on your doorstep wanting in, it probably had a home and was dumped by some asshole jerk. Said kitten is now identified as “CAUSE.”
When a homeless kitten is within sight of brown hound dog and is touching said dog’s possessions (little blonde girl, sidewalk, and grass), dog stands distressed in window barking maniacally. This would be identified as “EFFECT.”
Please note that the EFFECT may transform into a CAUSE which produces another EFFECT. This poor kitten needs a home ASAP.