The Creature

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there lived a creature afraid of sunlit days. The creature was ugly and hideous at best, and ceaselessly hoped his life was a test. His legs were crooked with dark green skin, hairy feet and his ankles far too thin. He stood hunched over, face barely above his belt, and his forehead was scaly and slimy when felt. His hands were bigger than his entire distorted face, looking arthritic and shaggy but with strength of a mace. Overall the beast was too grotesque for eyes, so he lived in a cave with a village nearby. They told stories of him as an eater of men, yet he had never once left his dank den. The light you see, would make him more clear, for their pointing and sly, angry sneers. The knew of him little but they did not care, for they would only see him, with a cold, peircing stare. So he stayed locked up where he would never be seen, until one day a girl appeared like a dream. She walked into the cave without any regret, and moved towards the creature fright already set. She put her small angelic hand on his swollen, scaly cheek, and did not shutter at the sight of his beak. All she did was smile from ear to loving ear, and never once did her face change to a snear. They talked about life from their different perceptives, and shared insecurities hearts all too receptive. So every day for atleast one hour or more, the creature was visited by this girl of four. She began to grow and become pretty with age, and after some years, she finally moved away. But before she left she gave him a letter, that she had hoped would only make him better. Dear Maltic,   I regret that I must move from here,   for it is time to move on, for I have aged in my years.   All that I ask is that you never lose hope,   for you are the greatest person I ever shall know.   What you have taught me is that beauty comes from the heart,   and I will always love you as our souls will never part.   One day I know that you will show your true face,   and then you will no longer believe   that you are a disgrace.   For the light that you fear,   cannot hold back a tear.   So live your life without a single regret,   for you are one person, I'm glad I have met.         Love,             Grace After reading that letter, the creature surely did cry, for the first time in his life, thankful to be alive. For when all hope was lost an angel was sent, to mend his poor heart and all that was meant. He did not live happily ever after, for that is far too cliche. But he did live the rest of his life, no longer afraid of the light. Written December 26th, 2001 © on Dec 25 2001 04:30 PM PST   0 • 12