It was a desperate leap…and long! My hind legs pushed away from the patio with every ounce of strength I could muster. I prayed that it would be enough, all the while knowing that the odds favored me becoming the hawk’s supper. I heard the thunder once again as the hawk’s mighty wings beat at the air behind me. There was nothing more I could do. In mid air life and death was fully a matter of luck and physics. At that moment I was hoping luck rather than mere physics was in my favor.
I landed just short of the chair, tumbling sideways for the last few feet. With a resounding thump, I came to an unexpectedly sudden stop against the wall. It left me momentarily disoriented, shaking away the impact of the wall. When I turned I was practically snout to beak with the largest hawk I could ever have imagined.
I pressed flat to the wall, as that great feathered predator tried his best to press those broad shoulders between the legs of the chair. I pressed flat to the wall, keeping just out of reach of her powerful beak and sharp claws. For the moment I was safe, but she had one fundamental advantage. I couldn’t remain there forever. Eventually I’d have to come out and, unless the odds somehow changed in my favor, I was doomed.
Across the yard I could see the squirrels and mouse well hidden among the clustered flower pots. The pots presented something of a maze should the hawk suddenly turn her attention, which seemed unlikely. The mouse made a valiant attempt to come to my aid. The squirrels dragged him back, admonishing him for what would have been sheer suicide.
The hawks giant and jagged beak snapped murderously, close enough that I smell the scent of fresh dirt and worms on her breath. I pressed my little body just as tight to the wall as possible. Still the great bird inched closer, forcing itself under the chair. I was done for. There was no escape, and one hope left.
“Wait!” I cried. “Hold on!”
I was thinking of the mouse, and how reason and understanding had made the difference. The hawk paused in her ravenous pursuit. She cocked her head to one side and gave me the oddest look.
“Pardon?”
“We’re civilized creatures, for Mother-Earth’s sake!” I pleaded. “Can we discuss this rationally?”
“What’s to discuss?” said the hawk, standing straight.
Even though she was poised to devour me, I found her absolutely magnificent. She was strong and proud, with long straight speckled feathers. Her eyes were as dark and polished as black obsidian. For a moment, I as a lowly cat, almost felt I was violating some great natural law in resisting her at all. Still, I was hardly more than a kitten and it was such a big world that I was eager to experience and explore. Across the yard I could see that the mouse was leading the squirrels to some sort of plan. I would do my best to convince the hawk all I could. Failing that, I would stall her until the mouse and squirrels put their plan into action.
“Much, my speckled feathered foe,” I said, relaxing just a bit. “We have much to discuss.”
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mouse and Hawk 2
The hawk plunged straight out of the sun. I was on my back, scratching an itch against the concrete. I watch with curiosity as the shadow grew from a small spot on my furry belly, rapidly growing and taking shape. It was funny at first, and I spread my arms and legs lazily.
At first I thought, how funny that some suicidal sparrow was barreling towards me. I smile, as much as a cat can, and had this silly fantasy of simply opening my big mug and swollowing the pour bird whole. It was every predator's ultimate dream. Problem was, I wasn't the predator this time, I was the prey!
I rolled to one side at the last instant. The hawk, as terrifying and large as he was, was stunning and impressive. The instant before rolling away I spied the supreme focus in those piercing green eyes. The sheer speed of his plunge was fantastic. Those terrific piercing sharp claws opened wide. Just as I moved the claws scraped the ground where I had been only a moment before. He was already turning, his wings pounding the air to drag him skyward again. The rush of wind from those mighty wings knocked me sideways off my feet.
Fear flooded through me. It blocked any clear thought, and had my body fighting itself in a desperate rush to survive. from the corner of my eye I could already see the hawk turning for another pass. His wings opened wide, seeming to span the courtyard, as he turned sharply in mid flight. Along the far wall the squirrels and mouse dove for the cover of several nearby flower pots.
I was trapped, with only one small sliver of hope. Several black metal patio chairs were stacked at the far end of the patio. The were turned from the wall offering the only available protection. It wasn't much, but it was the only hope I had. In the window Smudge watched helpless. Our eyes met and I could see she wanted to come to my aid. I shook my head, and felt there was no sense in both of us meeting with ultimate tragedy. Behind me the hawk was completing its turn, and the relative safety of the chairs seemed farther away than ever!
My claws were useless on the concrete, and only succeeded in costing me valuable time. The hawk beat his wings once, the tips almost touching the green grass of the court yard. the sound was like thunder. My heart raced madly. If felt the seconds remaining in my cruelly young life tick away. My ears fell back as I reached of the chairs. I could feel the hawk bearing down. I didn't dare chance a look back.
At first I thought, how funny that some suicidal sparrow was barreling towards me. I smile, as much as a cat can, and had this silly fantasy of simply opening my big mug and swollowing the pour bird whole. It was every predator's ultimate dream. Problem was, I wasn't the predator this time, I was the prey!
I rolled to one side at the last instant. The hawk, as terrifying and large as he was, was stunning and impressive. The instant before rolling away I spied the supreme focus in those piercing green eyes. The sheer speed of his plunge was fantastic. Those terrific piercing sharp claws opened wide. Just as I moved the claws scraped the ground where I had been only a moment before. He was already turning, his wings pounding the air to drag him skyward again. The rush of wind from those mighty wings knocked me sideways off my feet.
Fear flooded through me. It blocked any clear thought, and had my body fighting itself in a desperate rush to survive. from the corner of my eye I could already see the hawk turning for another pass. His wings opened wide, seeming to span the courtyard, as he turned sharply in mid flight. Along the far wall the squirrels and mouse dove for the cover of several nearby flower pots.
I was trapped, with only one small sliver of hope. Several black metal patio chairs were stacked at the far end of the patio. The were turned from the wall offering the only available protection. It wasn't much, but it was the only hope I had. In the window Smudge watched helpless. Our eyes met and I could see she wanted to come to my aid. I shook my head, and felt there was no sense in both of us meeting with ultimate tragedy. Behind me the hawk was completing its turn, and the relative safety of the chairs seemed farther away than ever!
My claws were useless on the concrete, and only succeeded in costing me valuable time. The hawk beat his wings once, the tips almost touching the green grass of the court yard. the sound was like thunder. My heart raced madly. If felt the seconds remaining in my cruelly young life tick away. My ears fell back as I reached of the chairs. I could feel the hawk bearing down. I didn't dare chance a look back.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
MOUSE AND HAWK 1
I stretched my arms and legs on the patio, turning my furry brown belly towards the bright late winter sun. The world seemed a perfect place, at least as perfect as a mortal being could hope. I felt wonderful for allowing that little mouse go. The moment truly felt satisfying and illuminating, revealing a power I had never before realized.
Choice is a powerful thing. It can hold as many dangers as blessings. Often the dangers inherent in choice far outweigh the blessings, with so many of those dangers, I was discovering, as blessing. But a full knowledge on how best to use the power of choice is what separates cats from the lowly creatures of the world. That wisdom allowed me the best choice in causing the least amount of pain in the end.
So Mister Mouse was almost correct. It was about the game. More than that it was about the power of choice. A whole new world had opened to me, one that opened my heart as never before.
To be honest, I hadn’t given him the chance to live. He had earned it fair and square. He had argued and fought for his life. Being physically larger and stronger I had the power to ignore his assertion, but in doing so what did I risk? What would be the cost to my feline heart and soul? If I had decided to eat the little guy I was putting my desire above his.
To be clear, it was about desire and not about need. I had the desire but no need to eat him but not the need.
Of course, life is never that simple. There was that law of the jungle thing, and cat’s got to eat. But remember, choice is about having the wisdom to decide the path through the least amount of pain. I had a bowl full of cat food on the kitchen floor. It may have been my nature to stalk and hunt that little squirrel, but it wasn’t a necessity.
So I stretched and closed my eyes. My tail beat back and forth with a carefree laziness. Little did I realize the danger looming high above the courtyard. Not even the mouse and squirrels playing for birdseed against the far wall knew what lay concealed in the glare of the sun, biding its time and waiting for the right moment to strike…
Choice is a powerful thing. It can hold as many dangers as blessings. Often the dangers inherent in choice far outweigh the blessings, with so many of those dangers, I was discovering, as blessing. But a full knowledge on how best to use the power of choice is what separates cats from the lowly creatures of the world. That wisdom allowed me the best choice in causing the least amount of pain in the end.
So Mister Mouse was almost correct. It was about the game. More than that it was about the power of choice. A whole new world had opened to me, one that opened my heart as never before.
To be honest, I hadn’t given him the chance to live. He had earned it fair and square. He had argued and fought for his life. Being physically larger and stronger I had the power to ignore his assertion, but in doing so what did I risk? What would be the cost to my feline heart and soul? If I had decided to eat the little guy I was putting my desire above his.
To be clear, it was about desire and not about need. I had the desire but no need to eat him but not the need.
Of course, life is never that simple. There was that law of the jungle thing, and cat’s got to eat. But remember, choice is about having the wisdom to decide the path through the least amount of pain. I had a bowl full of cat food on the kitchen floor. It may have been my nature to stalk and hunt that little squirrel, but it wasn’t a necessity.
So I stretched and closed my eyes. My tail beat back and forth with a carefree laziness. Little did I realize the danger looming high above the courtyard. Not even the mouse and squirrels playing for birdseed against the far wall knew what lay concealed in the glare of the sun, biding its time and waiting for the right moment to strike…
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Mouse7
The mouse drew a small pair of eyeglasses from his fur and laid them across his pointed nose. His whiskers twitched once or twice, mulling over a thought.It was quite an odd scene, as you can well imagine!
“Let’s review our options in overcoming our, shall we say, impasse.
“As I see things,” I said, “A, I eat you or B, I don’t. Honestly, I’m leaning heavily towards B right now.”
“A simplified way of things,” said the mouse, smugly. “What I would expect from a creature of below average faculties, but let’s not quibble. As you have stated, that is indeed the conundrum.”
“Should I be insulted?” I was thinking that I could simply lean across and, with little difficulty, swallow him whole.
“Never mind.” He waved a tiny little paw. “Rather, let’s examine the pros and cons of each option, shall we?”
“Continue.”
“So you decide to eat me. What is to be gained from that?”
“You’re delicious?”
“Your opinion.”
“Shall I call Smudge,” I smirked, “and we’ll have a vote?”
The mouse looked down his long nose in a scolding sort of way, then continued. “So I am eaten, swallowed and gone. The pro, from your limited perspective is lunch. But what are the cons?”
“Can’t really see any, I’ll be honest.”
The mouse frowned, pacing back and forth in a deliberative manner. “Try and keep up with my keener intellect, my raccoon-tailed predatory friend.”
Again with the insults, I fumed. He may have been stating a strong case, but he sure wasn’t helping it much. Still, I was enjoying this. I loved the role of hunter, feeling as though I was king of the world. As the mouse spoke my thoughts drifted, where I was both feared and honored by all the little creatures of the world. I was, however, still smarting from the insult, and all but ready to put an end to all this.
“I’ll try,” I replied, indignant, “to wrap my mind around your superior rodent brilliance!”
“All I can ask.” The little fellow didn’t miss a beat.
“Go on.”
“The game!” he exclaimed.
“The game?” I asked.
“The game. That’s what we risk.”
“Don’t follow.” I cocked my head. From the corner of one eye I could see Smudge throw back her head in disgust.
“Imagine that one day all the mice came you nd that you could eat everyone of them?”
“Oh, like a big mouse buffet?”
“But then what?”
“A nap?”
“No, my granite headed companion. Then the game is over. It’s about the chase, not the conquest. Like a fine meal…”
“Which would be you,” I winked, a bit cruelly. It wouldn’t be fair to let the mouse’s shots at me go by without some sort of satisfaction, short of making him a quick snack. That was, however, still a looming possibility.
“Indeed!” he scoffed. “No, don’t you see? I am the hunted and you the hunter. It defines you, but without me what are you? You would be a fat cat on a shelf, slurping down Friskies without any purpose in the world.”
“Not hearing the bad part yet,” I said, though I kind of got what he was saying.
“Here’s the deal. You let me go and I promise to run across the patio. Now and then I let you catch me, bat me around a bit. Look at reality, bub, we aren’t in the jungle. This is civilization, and we should be bound to civilized behavior while celebrating our nature. Do we have a deal?”
I sighed heavily. I wished more time to think all this through, but for now I was willing to give the little guy the benefit of his good arguments, to say nothing of his spirit. Little did I know what it would mean for me in the days to come. I held out a paw and he touched it with his. Like gentlemen we shook on the deal.
“Go with Mother Earth, little friend,” I said. With that he turned and scampered away across the lawn. At the door Smudge could only shake her head in disappointment.
“Let’s review our options in overcoming our, shall we say, impasse.
“As I see things,” I said, “A, I eat you or B, I don’t. Honestly, I’m leaning heavily towards B right now.”
“A simplified way of things,” said the mouse, smugly. “What I would expect from a creature of below average faculties, but let’s not quibble. As you have stated, that is indeed the conundrum.”
“Should I be insulted?” I was thinking that I could simply lean across and, with little difficulty, swallow him whole.
“Never mind.” He waved a tiny little paw. “Rather, let’s examine the pros and cons of each option, shall we?”
“Continue.”
“So you decide to eat me. What is to be gained from that?”
“You’re delicious?”
“Your opinion.”
“Shall I call Smudge,” I smirked, “and we’ll have a vote?”
The mouse looked down his long nose in a scolding sort of way, then continued. “So I am eaten, swallowed and gone. The pro, from your limited perspective is lunch. But what are the cons?”
“Can’t really see any, I’ll be honest.”
The mouse frowned, pacing back and forth in a deliberative manner. “Try and keep up with my keener intellect, my raccoon-tailed predatory friend.”
Again with the insults, I fumed. He may have been stating a strong case, but he sure wasn’t helping it much. Still, I was enjoying this. I loved the role of hunter, feeling as though I was king of the world. As the mouse spoke my thoughts drifted, where I was both feared and honored by all the little creatures of the world. I was, however, still smarting from the insult, and all but ready to put an end to all this.
“I’ll try,” I replied, indignant, “to wrap my mind around your superior rodent brilliance!”
“All I can ask.” The little fellow didn’t miss a beat.
“Go on.”
“The game!” he exclaimed.
“The game?” I asked.
“The game. That’s what we risk.”
“Don’t follow.” I cocked my head. From the corner of one eye I could see Smudge throw back her head in disgust.
“Imagine that one day all the mice came you nd that you could eat everyone of them?”
“Oh, like a big mouse buffet?”
“But then what?”
“A nap?”
“No, my granite headed companion. Then the game is over. It’s about the chase, not the conquest. Like a fine meal…”
“Which would be you,” I winked, a bit cruelly. It wouldn’t be fair to let the mouse’s shots at me go by without some sort of satisfaction, short of making him a quick snack. That was, however, still a looming possibility.
“Indeed!” he scoffed. “No, don’t you see? I am the hunted and you the hunter. It defines you, but without me what are you? You would be a fat cat on a shelf, slurping down Friskies without any purpose in the world.”
“Not hearing the bad part yet,” I said, though I kind of got what he was saying.
“Here’s the deal. You let me go and I promise to run across the patio. Now and then I let you catch me, bat me around a bit. Look at reality, bub, we aren’t in the jungle. This is civilization, and we should be bound to civilized behavior while celebrating our nature. Do we have a deal?”
I sighed heavily. I wished more time to think all this through, but for now I was willing to give the little guy the benefit of his good arguments, to say nothing of his spirit. Little did I know what it would mean for me in the days to come. I held out a paw and he touched it with his. Like gentlemen we shook on the deal.
“Go with Mother Earth, little friend,” I said. With that he turned and scampered away across the lawn. At the door Smudge could only shake her head in disappointment.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Mouse 6
The mouse paced back and forth before my face. My eyes watched intently. One false move on his part and I would pounce, and this time he would not get away. Still, I was prepared to listen to what the little guy had to say. He'd earned my respect fairly and I was bound to be a gentlman about it all. I was a cat, not an animal, for Mother Earth's sake! I couldn't say as much for Smudge, watching hungrily from the door.
"Make your case," I said.
He paused, glancing a bit nervously at Smudge. "A bit disconcerting with the threat of imminent death looming over me."
"Don't worry about her, my smooth-tailed friend, the thret would be there anyway."
"So, you do not come to this equitably?"
"You are still here, able to speak your mind," I said. "That should count for something."
"Indeed, though I would have preferred earned respect than merciful consideration."
I nodded and urged Smudge away with a nod of my head. When she refused to budge, hardly taking her eyes off the mouse I stood and gave a little hiss. She understood my meaning, though she wasn't altogether moved by it. With a shake of her head, as if I was being foolish, Smudge turned and disappeared into the house. I turned back to the mouse, settling to the patio on my belly.
"You're a clever mook," I said. You have both my respect and consideration."
"With the specter of violence," he observed.
"The consideration is at odds with my nature, but you have all I can offer."
The mouse sighed and nodded thoughtfully, considering the words. "Very well then. With your indulgence, my sharply-clawed friend, I will state my case...
"Make your case," I said.
He paused, glancing a bit nervously at Smudge. "A bit disconcerting with the threat of imminent death looming over me."
"Don't worry about her, my smooth-tailed friend, the thret would be there anyway."
"So, you do not come to this equitably?"
"You are still here, able to speak your mind," I said. "That should count for something."
"Indeed, though I would have preferred earned respect than merciful consideration."
I nodded and urged Smudge away with a nod of my head. When she refused to budge, hardly taking her eyes off the mouse I stood and gave a little hiss. She understood my meaning, though she wasn't altogether moved by it. With a shake of her head, as if I was being foolish, Smudge turned and disappeared into the house. I turned back to the mouse, settling to the patio on my belly.
"You're a clever mook," I said. You have both my respect and consideration."
"With the specter of violence," he observed.
"The consideration is at odds with my nature, but you have all I can offer."
The mouse sighed and nodded thoughtfully, considering the words. "Very well then. With your indulgence, my sharply-clawed friend, I will state my case...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mouse 5
"You little son of an alley cat!" I exclaimed.
I looked wildly around but there was no sign of that mouse. Standing dead center on th patio it was inconceivable he could have escaped, or made a run for it without me seeing. That left just one place.
before I could look beneath my fury belly something crawled up my tail. I spun around and bit down hard, finding only my tail. With a cry of pain I dashed into the yard. The mouse was scrambling along my back, nosing his way through the thick brown fur there.
I rolled onto my back, thrashing in the snow and grass, but he held on tight with those tiny little paws. I might have admired the little fellas tenacity. For the moment we were locked in mortal combat. Hugging close to my neck the mouse weathered the worst of what I had to offer. I rolled back and forth, washed my claws over my ears and did a wild twisting flip in the air, but nothing could shake him.
Finally, exhausted, gulping in air I could fight no more. he had won, at least for the moment. In truth I was humbled and awed by the little guy's bravery. Maybe it was too soon to use the "Respect" word, but it was close.
"Fighting for my life here, mate," said the mouse, leaning close to my ear. "I will stay to this battle to the last if I must."
I bowed my head and nodded. "Name your terms."
I looked wildly around but there was no sign of that mouse. Standing dead center on th patio it was inconceivable he could have escaped, or made a run for it without me seeing. That left just one place.
before I could look beneath my fury belly something crawled up my tail. I spun around and bit down hard, finding only my tail. With a cry of pain I dashed into the yard. The mouse was scrambling along my back, nosing his way through the thick brown fur there.
I rolled onto my back, thrashing in the snow and grass, but he held on tight with those tiny little paws. I might have admired the little fellas tenacity. For the moment we were locked in mortal combat. Hugging close to my neck the mouse weathered the worst of what I had to offer. I rolled back and forth, washed my claws over my ears and did a wild twisting flip in the air, but nothing could shake him.
Finally, exhausted, gulping in air I could fight no more. he had won, at least for the moment. In truth I was humbled and awed by the little guy's bravery. Maybe it was too soon to use the "Respect" word, but it was close.
"Fighting for my life here, mate," said the mouse, leaning close to my ear. "I will stay to this battle to the last if I must."
I bowed my head and nodded. "Name your terms."
Friday, February 5, 2010
Mouse 4
"Nothing personal," I told the mouse I lifted a paw but hesitated, impressed by the little guy's bravery. He stood straight and gentlemanly on his back legs, a stiff upper chin and turned his head slightly away. laying a hand a cross his heart, the mouse looked at me askance and breathed deeply.
"Just if you would be so kind to allow me a lamentably short adieu to the world," he said.
I lowered my paw and nodded respectfully. "Least I could do."
"Oh, oh, cruel world," he began, quite theatrically, "in which I am alternately starved and fed, hopeful and disillusioned, blessed and abused, we have been uneasy lovers, intimate and yet estranged by the burden of ego. Would I have lived you any differently?" He pondered soulfully up and back, waving his arms, looking intently at me when he wished to make a point. For my part I was intrigued as much as my patience strained. The mouse continued.
"I might well have lived a thousand other fates, all of them unique and yet flawed in their own right. Would that any of them were better than this one, would that any of those many lives hve truly been me and of mine. Oh, cruel world that made me prey to this most handsome and merciful of predator, would there be a better, truer existance? I think not. And though I find myself hopeless within the crucible of fate i could not fathom anything as beautiful as this flawed and imperfect life. Oh, cruel cru..."
"All right!" I interrupted, having had quite enough, " for a little guy, you sure can do some talking."
The mouse bowed deeply. "Quite true, my feline friend. I once chewed through a volume of Shakespeare."
"well, if you've said your piece, can we get on with this?"
"terribly sorry, old fellow. I meant no distraction, except that..." he looked skyward and pointed quite suddenly and exclaimed, "Dear Mother Earth, what's that?"
I snapped my head skyward, expecting some terrible calamity, perhaps a hawk or blackbird eyeing me as a meal. When I turned back to the mouse he was gone!
"Just if you would be so kind to allow me a lamentably short adieu to the world," he said.
I lowered my paw and nodded respectfully. "Least I could do."
"Oh, oh, cruel world," he began, quite theatrically, "in which I am alternately starved and fed, hopeful and disillusioned, blessed and abused, we have been uneasy lovers, intimate and yet estranged by the burden of ego. Would I have lived you any differently?" He pondered soulfully up and back, waving his arms, looking intently at me when he wished to make a point. For my part I was intrigued as much as my patience strained. The mouse continued.
"I might well have lived a thousand other fates, all of them unique and yet flawed in their own right. Would that any of them were better than this one, would that any of those many lives hve truly been me and of mine. Oh, cruel world that made me prey to this most handsome and merciful of predator, would there be a better, truer existance? I think not. And though I find myself hopeless within the crucible of fate i could not fathom anything as beautiful as this flawed and imperfect life. Oh, cruel cru..."
"All right!" I interrupted, having had quite enough, " for a little guy, you sure can do some talking."
The mouse bowed deeply. "Quite true, my feline friend. I once chewed through a volume of Shakespeare."
"well, if you've said your piece, can we get on with this?"
"terribly sorry, old fellow. I meant no distraction, except that..." he looked skyward and pointed quite suddenly and exclaimed, "Dear Mother Earth, what's that?"
I snapped my head skyward, expecting some terrible calamity, perhaps a hawk or blackbird eyeing me as a meal. When I turned back to the mouse he was gone!
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