A lamb born without front legs has learned how to walk like a human solely on his back limbs.
The sight of the courageous sheep so moved a cancer sufferer that he bought it to inspire him in his personal fight against the disease.
The legless lamb was born in Liucheng village in Zhoukou city, part of central China's Henan province.
The lamb was born in this August, one of a litter of four. His siblings were all healthy but he lacked his two front limbs.
"I am in my 60s, but it's the first time that I have seen such a lamb. I thought it would die sooner or later, so I just kept it to see when it dies. However, it surprised me one month later when the lamb began to learn to walk on its back legs," said the lamb's original owner Lin Zhao.
The news of the walking lamb became a sensation in the locality. Local TV and newspapers chronicled its exploits and people came from far and near to watch its clumsy but heart warming steps.
Xiu Wang, 31, was one of them. A cancer sufferer, he travelled to the village and bought it from her for the equivalent of £450. Admitted to a top university to study in central China's Anhui province, he was forced to abandon the classroom to work after he was diagnosed with lymph gland cancer.
"l look like I am positive and optimistic, but actually I always feel depressed when I'm alone," said Wang.
"But when I saw this little creature and the hand that life had dealt it I knew that I must stop feeling sorry for myself. That is why I bought him, took him home and now he is my companion.
"I feel for the lamb, we are so much alike." Wang said he will take good care of the lamb, watch it grow up and tell its story to the other cancer patients.
"I believe it's the best cure for us." he added.
