Walking through the woods may have been a way of life for some.
I booked a safari to drive through the forest in a jeep, with a professional driver. I’m expected to believe what they tell me about the animals, my own research notwithstanding.
Then the unexpected happens. A tiger is sitting on the bonnet of the car. We are safely locked inside, advised to stay still. I look into the eyes of the animal.
Silently, I tell him we are friends.
He appears to get the message and responds with a different sound.
“Tell me about the world outside. Talk what you please of future spring and sun-warm’d sweet tomorrow. Can I come out there from the dark and dense forests?”
I’m afraid to say, ‘they might lock you up in a zoo. The world outside is not safe for you, my friend.”
The prompt line given by Sana Rizvi is
“Talk what you please of future spring and sun-warm’d sweet tomorrow.” – from the poem A Daughter of Eve by Christina Rossetti.
So true but nowadays it doesn’t seem good for anyone. Superb take.
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Every story is just one perspective.
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A unique use of the line. I enjoyed the image of interaction drawn from the dialogue between you and the tiger. What a moment. I think he is better off in the wild where nature rules, not evil dictators.
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I agree. Thank you, Mish!
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A great conversational response to the Rossetti line! Brava!
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Thank you, Helen!
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Such a gorgeous response to the prompt, Reena. I enjoyed the philosophical flow and agree about survival.. Thank you so much for adding your voice to the prompt 💝💝
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Thank you, Sanaa!
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I hope the tiger can find safety outside a zoo , but alas we have made the world hostile for beasts.
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We believe the world is created only for humans.
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It has always been my dream to travel to Africa and go on a safari. The closest I’ve come is the San Diego Safari Park Zoo. Alas, I think that shall have to be enough.
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Some of the safaris are quite disappointing when we see only swamp deer. On such a trip, a friend bought a toy tiger, placed it in the grass and clicked a pic from afar to show his kids.
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I enjoyed the human-tiger mind meld and am glad the human gave the tiger good advice.
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Thank you, Lisa!
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You’re welcome.
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A scary moment for sure! You are right … keep him in the wild rather than a zoo!
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Thank you, Dwight!
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You are welcome!
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I definitely did not expect that. Reena! Well done!
❤
David
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Thank you, David!
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I like where you went with the prompt. The so called dangerous animals are safe with the humans
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If they understand each other, yes… but they never speak the same language.
I’d heard of a man who brought up a tiger cub, and the love between them was unmistakable. Once the man injured himself, and the cub happened to lick blood. Thereafter, the man knew he was not safe, as natural instincts will take over after the tiger tasted blood.
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That’s true, once they taste blood, it’s not safe.
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Quite magical!
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Thank you, Carol!
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Yes … I’m afraid the outside world is not the place to be for our friendly tiger, especially during these tragic times ..
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The conflict is a survival issue on both sides.
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Yes indeed Reena
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