A Tale of Two Characters

The other day I talked briefly of Angrik and Frankie, and it got me thinking about them further. Although they are of the same species, they happen to be of different race. They are treated kindly but somehow differently. Let me explain and relate how they came to be with us in the first place.

Angrik was an abandoned baby, thrown into our compound with a another sibling early one morning. When my wife saw a bundle on the grass she picked it up and out rushed one of them, but she was too slow to catch it. However the other one was still struggling inside the wrapping and my wife quickly brought it into the house. It turned out to be a female and in good health. Wena gave her a beautiful and most suitable name: Angrik.

She quickly became the darling of the family. I was indifferent towards her because I could not accept a new one in the house, not after I have given my whole love to another who unfortunately succumbed to a kidney disease after a long illness, some years back. I was very fond of him and after he was gone,I told myself that I will never give my heart to another.

But, I suppose, time heals everything, and I slowly began to show tenderness towards Angrik. And naturally she responds accordingly. She is, unlike many females, rather quiet and demure in character. She is very homely and loves attention.

Frankie, on the other hand, came directly from an orphanage. During one visit, he was offered to Wena who managed to persuade my wife to adopt him. Again, it was Wena who gave the name Frankie but I jokingly (perhaps, cruelly) called him Frankenstein!

When they got home, they discovered that he was somewhat disabled, with a lame leg. However, with tender care and medication, Frankie's leg improved and he gained strength. Soon there was no trace of his disability. He was very active, running all over the place. He was one smart kid.

While similar treatment is given to both Angrik and Frankie, the latter had to stay outside because there is simply not enough room for both indoors. At the slightest opportunity, he would sneak into the house and make loud announcements of the fact to me. He was simply trying to irritate me because the moment I hear him I would send him out again, sometimes two or three times in a row. In due course, he learnt to behave himself and only enter the house when allowed to. I also relent from time to time by ignoring his announcements.

Everything, however, changed when they become sick. There was no discrimination at all. Both received the best treatment. Never mind the cost. It is hoped that they will live a long life and continue to give pleasure, each according to his/her ways.

On Errand for a Cat

Today Wena and I brought Angrik to the vet for the follow-up drip for her liver problem. She was reluctant to get into her cage. In fact, she struggled, perhaps she was feeling complacent that her ordeal was over. Yet here she was being forced to go again.

However, when we got to the vet, she was on her best behaviour, quietly submitting to the procedure.

While she was being attended to, we nipped to the back to visit Frankie who has been hospitalised from an injury resulting from a mysterious incident. Could this be caused by a rackless driver, or a ferocious dog? Nobody saw the incident.

He has been at the infirmary for more than a week and was recovering well. Hopefully he could come home soon. As soon as he saw us, he gave a very resounding welcome with his shrill incessant mieowing. We left him with a get-well-soon gesture.

We then brought Angrik home and as soon as she was released, she rushed out, without looking back at her cage.