|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ugly was the resident tomcat of our apartment complex. Ugly loved three things in this world fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love. The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. He had only one eye, and the other was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear. His left foot had badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle. There was a stub in place of the tail, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Sores covered his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. That's one UGLY cat!! Children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever someone picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find. One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got there, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end. Ugly lay in a wet circle, his legs and back twisted grossly out of shape. As I picked him up I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him I thought. Then I felt a familiar sucking on my ear. Ugly, in so much pain, and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection. At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain. Ugly died in my arms. I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly. Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly. — Author unknown
|
||
|
|
||
