Recently, one of my close relatives was admitted
in a premier hospital in Chennai. She was there for one full month & I used
to visit her every day. Amidst all the gloom surrounding the hospital environs,
I found a glimmer of light in Rocky! Rocky was an absolutely adorable kitten.
He was playful, noisy and shy. I first found him on the street, very close to
where I had parked my bike. I have never liked hospitals; the smell, the
emotions; the looks… everything is so gloomy. The prospect of going to the hospital
every day seemed so scary, but thanks to Rocky, the experience was bearable.
Every day as I parked my
bike, I would see him playing with random stuff- leaves, sticks, plastic
bottles… If I took one step toward him though he used to ‘meow’ loudly and run
away to a safe distance. In his eyes I could see fear, morbid fear. He couldn't
trust me.. yet!
For the first few days
I didn't disturb him. Just stood at a distance and watched him play.
After a few days, I guess he warmed up to my presence. He let me walk near
him without running away. By the 10th day he would let me touch
him. I started feeding him biscuits and would play with him for a few minutes
before entering the hospital and after coming out. For about 15 days the
routine continued and I used to feel so happy, relaxed and focused. Rocky was
such a lovely cat. When I showed him love, he reciprocated. His love was so
evident, so honest, so pure and so invaluable.
Then suddenly one morning
Rocky wasn't around. I looked around for him and couldn't locate him. I looked
everywhere but to no avail. The rickshawala nearby told me that Rocky had been
gravely injured by a stone thrown by a stupid man the previous night. The
events that had led to that horrible act were shocking!
Just as the man was entering
the hospital the previous night, Rocky had run across the street in front of
him. The man glared at rocky and went in. His mother, who had been admitted to
the hospital, passed away in the wee hours of the night. The man related his
mothers' death to the bad omen of the black cat crossing his path. In fury he
came back and beat rocky with a stone, injuring the cat badly. He blamed the
innocent black cat that crossed a road, for the misfortune that befell him.
Rocky was injured and was taken away by some kind soul nearby. No one knew
where he is now or what happened to him!
Rocky’s absence left a deep
void in me. Till the rickshawwala told me, I did not realize that Rocky was
black. He has crossed my path so many times and nothing bad ever happened to
me! His eyes and his playful meows continue to ring in my ears. He enjoyed his
biscuits and he never disturbed anybody, yet, he was stoned! Rocky became a
victim of circumstance.
By bringing me into his
world, life showed Rocky that not all men are bad. It sent him a guy who fed
him biscuits and played with him every day. And just when he was getting used
to human beings, life sent a threat and gifted him stones!
Our lives and Rocky's are in
many ways similar. So many times we fall victim to circumstance. For no fault
of ours we are punished. For no fault of ours we are condemned. Many a times we
are misunderstood and it turns out bad! All of us are victims of circumstance.
Sometimes we get the flower and sometimes we get the thorn! Rocky got love and
stones! But, even in his misfortune, Rocky gave birth
to the idea of this blog! Let's strive to be graceful even in a fall!
