Everyone in the apartment complex where I lived 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 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.

Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck and even his shoulders. 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 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. 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 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, 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, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be Ugly.

Note: I didn't want to post this in with the little store above. Every year or so, I go back and re-read this. I've had it since the late 90's, so it's been around for almost 15 years.

I don't know who wrote it; I don't know if it's true. But I LOVE the story about Ugly, and I like to share it for others.

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Here's another one. Years ago, okay, back in 1976 - 1979 when I was in High School and a member of Junior Achievement, one of the speakers of the Dale Carnegie course for our regional conference read this. I've always loved this poem and have remembered it all these years. (I don't know who the author is, several people lay claim to it.)

Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair,
She seemed so gay I envied her and wished that I were half so fair.
I watched her as she rose to leave and saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch, but as she passed - a smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I later stopped to buy some treats, the lad who sold them had such charm,
I thought I'd stop and talk awhile, if I were late t'would be no harm.
And as I left he said to me,
Thank you sir, you've been so kind, it's nice to talk to folks like you,
You see, I'm blind.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes so blue,
He stood and watched the others play he did not know just what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join the others dear?"
It was then I knew - he couldn't hear.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, and the world is mine.

Two legs to take me where I go,
Two eyes to see the sunset's glow,
Two ears to hear what I should know.
Oh God forgive me when I whine.
I'm blessed indeed, the world is mine.

There's always two ways of looking at your life. I think it's always better to look at the half full cup than the half empty cup.

:'(