He ended up in a terrible car accident where both of his legs were seriously injured. And just like that, everything stopped…
A solid career lay ahead, with a real shot at becoming the managing director and snagging a big salary. Ski breaks in the Alps with his wife, catch-ups with his mates over weekendsjust life, you know? All gone in a flash.
They pieced his legs back together and sent him home. What else could doctors do? All that was left was to hope for a bit of luck and perhaps a prayer or two. And he did hope, but nights were just endless agonyhed cry out with pain. The only peace he got was from injections, two a day, just so he could doze off for a spell.
He couldnt get out of bed for months, so had to use a bedpan. God bless his wife. When he finally started to get up and give the walker a go, the pain hit him ten times worse.
Have you ever had to inject your stomach to keep from getting blood clots and bedsores because youve been stuck lying down for so long? Let me tell youtheres no sneezing, coughing, or the simple dignity of popping to the loo as you once did. You need nerves of steel.
But lets be honest, you try keeping your nerves together in that state! What strength is left to endure, hardly any.
Still, time marched on, and he gradually managed to shuffle about again. Not greattripping over, stumbling, nearly falling each step. But it was progress.
His friends vanishedno phone calls, no checking in. At work, they brought in someone else to fill both his old job and the directors role. No one knew when his ordeal would end or what would come of it allthat was the hardest question.
You can imagine his spirits were at an all-time low. The outlook? Pretty grim and full of crutches. Thank God his wife stood by him
The day he got outside, leaning on crutches with his wife close by, the sunlight hit his eyes painfully. It knocked the breath out of him and he started to cry. An unwanted cripple on crutcheswas that all that was left of his once-promising life?
His wife gave him a moment alone, and he tried a few steps, screwing up his face against the glare and getting used to the spring breeze.
All of a sudden, a little grey kitten meowed at himdemanding attention down by his left crutch.
What do you want? he asked, a bit bemused.
Animals werent exactly on his radar for years, so he didnt really know what to do. The kitten just fixed him with a pleading look, obviously hungry.
“Darling, would you get him a meatball?” he asked his wife.
When she came back, he took the treat and, very carefully, bent down to offer it. The cat blinked up at him and tucked in.
Next day, when he came out, hopeful hed manage a few more steps despite the pain, there were not just one but three cats waiting. No doubt, theyd been sticking around for a while.
Well, you lot dont hang about, do you? he chuckled.
And for a second, the pain eased. His wife rolled her eyes but came outside with three meatballs. Despite everything, he leaned down and gave one to each.
Day after thatfive cats and two tiny dogs welcomed him. His wife grumbled out loud, but he convinced her to nip across to the little corner shop for a kilo of sausages. He divided them up honestly amongst the tail-wagging crowd.
They all had a feast, and soon enough, the animals were racing around him, turning his morning into a bit of a game. Hed grumble and laugh at once as he had a go at a few more steps. The puppies barked along merrily, as if encouraging him.
The following day, even though it was drizzly and his wife threatened to make off with his crutches, he stood his ground and got himself outsidethe first time in months.
Theyre waiting for me, he insisted. How can I not turn up? I owe them.
And there he was. Five cats and two cheeky pups danced round, and he couldnt help but smile. The spring rain came down, and there he wason crutches, chasing dogs through puddles, followed by his feline entourage.
His wife stood at the doorway with an umbrella, watching her husband chasing pets round the courtyard in the rain, grinning all over her face
Time moved on. Before long, the two crutches became one, and eventually, he got rid of them all together. Hard to run after your furry gang with sticks in the way. And only then did he realiseitd been ages since his legs last ached.
His job didnt want him back. No one needed a hobbling invalid, and so he got a hefty pay-out and quit by choice. Now free as a bird, he decided to write about his whole experience.
Somehow, it ended up as a hefty play. And after that last page, he wandered around every theatre in townbut, honestly, no one wanted to know. Eventually, after a string of polite rejections, one little community theatre, tucked away in a basement, invited him in.
A week later, the director called and said, Lets put it on. But well need to chop and change a few bitsdo some rewrite.
He and the director spent a month arguing, editing, fighting over every line. Then, it was time for opening night.
Just fifteen people turned up in the little space. The place wasnt even half full, but for him, those fifteen were the most important audience on Earth.
He was a bundle of nerves, almost too scared to lookwhen the final words were spoken and the curtain dropped, there was a heavy silence that sank his heart completely. Soul, spirit, all hope gone. It felt like an hour, but really, it was only a few seconds and
The room burst into wild applause! Absolutely took off. The cast, all smiles, kept bowing, coming back for repeats.
The second show? Packed out. People standing, sitting on the stairs and in the corridor. The ovation nearly brought the curtain crashing down.
Pretty soon, the company had moved on to the main city hall, and now, theatre buffs gathered to discuss the promising new playwrights work.
He treated himself to a really posh suit and always took his wife with him to take a bow before the crowd. How could he not? It would have been impossible otherwise.
Youll ask, of course, what happened to the two little dogs and five cats from the courtyard? WellIll tell you.
He and his wife took two of the dogs and two of the cats home. Devoted fans of his work took care of the rest.
So, whats this story about? Wellits really about nothing much at all.
Or, perhaps its a little reminder that when you look down at your feet and see eyes hopeful and full of trust, you just cant fall. You simply have to stand up.
