All of the animals living in the green forest jungle, make
a clear path when they hear the deep throated snarling purr of the approaching tiger. With
its powerful jaws and claws, its long white teeth and the power to make incredible leaps
on fast running legs, it is no match for any of the animals who come to the pond's edge,
to drink the cool refreshing water each midday. No one lingers as they drink, instead they
looked hurriedly in fear at each other and jump at the slightest crack or popple of
footsteps with an approaching newcomer, immediately running back to hide in the shade of
large leaf plants. For this is the time of day when the tiger awakens from his nap and
begins to prowl through the underbrush looking for lunch.
It is the small and timid fox that has at last arrived at
this place, spending the better part of a long day traveling in the blistering heat to
find water. She recognizes it as being one of the places that can provide shelter and food
for her for quite awhile, but for now she is content just to have discovered such a
wonderful place.
"This is exactly the place I have been looking
for." She exclaims excitedly. "There is everything here that I will need."
The fox no sooner finished her statement than a group of monkey's began to screech and
holler trying to attract her attention of the oncoming tiger.
"I won't pay any attention to you right now my
friends, I have traveled too far for a drink of this wonderful water."
She watches as the monkey's leap from limb to limb and
disappear from sight.
"Oh well! I am sure that I will get to introduce
myself the next time I see them here." The fox closes her eyes and stretches her long
thin neck over the water. Her small tongue making growing rings in the pond as she laps
her welcomed drink.
Suddenly the little fox feels breathing on the back of her
neck. A sharp warm, wet breath, that seems to growl as it blows across her. Cautiously she
opens her eyes and sees in the reflection of the water, the face of a huge tiger sitting
above her, waiting for her to move, to run, to yell out. But the little fox does not!
Oh, it isn't that she does not want to run as fast as she
can to get away from being the tiger's lunch, or that she does not want to yell for help,
knowing there was none that would have come to her aid. No something of great peace and
great presence comes over the little fox that surprises her as well.
She continues to take a few more delicate, calculated laps
of the water, and very assuredly, calmly, turns to face the tiger.
"Good day to you sir. May I help you?"
The tiger is so taken off guard by this simple statement,
that he backs up a pace or two, allowing the fox to straighten herself to her true height,
and walk a few steps to the side of this hovering menace.
When the tiger has gained his aplomb he snarls a reply.
"You help me? I would think that you would want my help or my mercy?"
The little fox never betrayed her fear in her voice, but
managed to wave her paw in front of his face in an unconcerned manner. "Oh you see,
the princess of the jungle helps everyone."
The tiger's mouth dropped open with alarm. "The
princess of the jungle? I never heard of you before,"
"That is because you never needed my help before
today."
COMMENTARY:
When one is faced with a decision made in peril, one can
distinguish themselves by doing the unexpected.
The fox shows courage, imagination and a delightful sense
of humor to carry her through a difficult time.
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