Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. 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.
To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long since been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one ugly cat!"
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. 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 your 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 you ever picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly's sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear- Ugly, in so much pain, suffering 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, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, 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, perhaps some compassion.
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, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but 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, lectures, or talk show specials 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. To give my total to those I cared for.
Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, or beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be "Ugly".
2006-10-04 23:28:39 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
What a lovely story.
After reading that and Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray I know I wouldn't want to be perfect because it's only the imperfect who need love and love is good!
2006-10-04 23:36:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This should be on Chicken Soup for the Soul or something. By the way, I'm listening to SENS's 'Requiem' as I'm reading this, and I'm very touched, although I didn't cry. Plus this is somewhat on the wrong forum, but thanks for sharing this and touching my life today!
2016-03-27 05:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I must say, that was one sad story. The only good thing to come out of that is knowing the poor kitty is in a much better world now.
2006-10-07 07:34:52 · answer #3 · answered by Mike M. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow
2006-10-04 23:35:46 · answer #4 · answered by G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shame, poor cat, I hope that is not a true story, someone should have taken that poor creature in a long time ago.
2006-10-04 23:41:19 · answer #5 · answered by sparkleythings_4you 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now you went and made me cry.
I hope I can be that ugly, I'm glad you were ugly enough to share...
2006-10-04 23:56:45 · answer #6 · answered by CC...x 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God Bless you sweety
2006-10-04 23:34:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I loved reading that. Thanks for being ugly.
2006-10-04 23:35:14 · answer #8 · answered by McAtterie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋