A Not So Tall Tale

A Not So Tall Tale

A young Lion appeared on the plains

He was strong and fair looking

He fought hard

He easily out maneuvered all of his opponents

He was the most logical choice for the pride

Time past and at first all seemed well

The pride moved in fluid motion

Toward the prescribed goals

No other Nation could withstand its might,

Or prowess

Not the mighty water buffalo

Nor the proud crocodile

No not one

But as time went on

The once driven and focused Lion

Created ripples in the wind

The air became foul

As the land withered under the once mighty beast

His favor has left, said some

We elected him in error confided others

One by one the family took leave

Two by two lost their confidence in His ability

Till finally no one stood with him

He was alone

The sun continued to rise and set for many days

As the proud loner wandered from place to place

Until he was too wearied to go on

Heartbreak and sorrow his only companions

That is until a cricket, too small for anyone to care,

Asked the Leader why he had no one

He had watched the Lion for days

And his curiosity got the best of him

The Lion slowly turned his gaze to focus on the smallest of creatures

And as much as he thought it didn’t matter

He parted his lips and uttered one word:

Betrayal

The cricket seeing the pain etch across the once proud shoulders

Of the not so young Lion, nodded in simple understanding.

I betrayed my Pride the Lion said in a whisper

Neither or them spoke anymore there was no need

There was no one to accept any apology that might have been

Given. The Nation was disbanded.

The pride was no more

The young were scattered

Morals To This Story:

·         The sorriest of sorrys are only worth their weight when they are given quickly. 

·         Change is good as long as it is profitable and not destructive.

·         Wrong actions can’t be erased but they don’t have to be repeated

·         A tree can only bare the fruit it was made to bare.

o   An apple tree cannot produce an orange. No matter what anyone says.

-sj