Ugly

Ugly

Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knows who ugly was. Ugly was the residential tomcat. Ugly loved three things in the 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 this same side, his left foot has 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 constantly jerk and twitch.

Ugly would have been a dark grey tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck and even his shoulder 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, and 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 hi, he would curl his lanky body around his feet in forgiveness. Whenever he spied children he would come running meowing frantically and bumps 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 Neighbours huskies. They did not respond kindly and Ugly was badly mailed. 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 to 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 I could feel him struggling. I must be hurting him terribly I thought.

Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation in my ear – Ugly, in so much pain, suffering an obviously dying was trying to sickle my ear, I puddle him closer to me and he bumped my palm of my hand with his head and he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could ear the distinct sounds of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battle-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 help 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 if it was 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 I liked beautiful but for me, I will always try to be ugly.