Cock and bull stories.
Let me tell you a story. Oh yeah, I've liked stories ever since I was a child. Not the ones where the dude wins the affection of the dudette and 'they live happily ever after' sort of thing. Wacky, unexpected endings and smart fables were ones that got my attention. Here we go....
Once upon a time, there lived a bull in a forest. He was a very wise and intelligent animal, always teaching the other animals a lesson or two on how to live a full life. His horns were curved downwards, giving him the appearance of a well learned sage. Even animals from neighbouring forests came to him for words of wisdom. So famous was he for his practicality, that some of the carnivores were in danger of dying of hunger.
Once upon the same time, there was a cock who lived in a barn on the border of the forest. Having all the hens to himself, he was one of the most content beings around. He strutted about, proud of himself. But patience was something he never tried to achieve. He just couldn't control himself in matters of focus and perseverance. There came a time when he hit a rough patch in his life [who knows, maybe a midlife crisis]. Not knowing what to do, he began to lose his confidence and drive. So one day, in total desparation, he decided to have a chat with the bull. After sharing his personal life with the bull, he asked the usual question, 'What do you think I must do now?'
The bull gave it a good deal of thought and then answered in a soft voice, 'You must have a little of my dung.' A little of his answer to nature's call? That couldn't be. Impossible! Maybe he had heard wrong. So he asked once more, 'What must I do?' Again the same reply. The cock was convinced this guy had lost it. Or maybe he was making fun of his situation. He started to shout and make a noise about it; but the bull calmed him down and repeated that that was what he would have to do. So the cock told the bull that if it didn't work, he would, in return, have to eat his droppings. Ridiculous, eating a bull's dung. So what if he was the wisest?
Next morning, just as the sun was rising, the cock comes to the bull and is offered a little dung. Wanting to get it over with [and deep down, thinking that if this failed, the wisest of all animals would be eating his droppings], he nibbles at a small piece. Suddenly, he is filled with a new energy. The world ceases to be its bland self and begins to fill with vibrant colours. Everything comes to life at that moment. As if a veil had just fallen off from before his eyes. His senses are heightened like never before. Now he can see clearly, hear clearly and feel the surroundings with all his being. The bull begins to say something but he is too impatient to stay there and listen. Not looking back to even thank the bull, he starts to run. When he reaches the tallest tree in the forest, he looks up and sees its branches that seem to touch the sky. But the new energy in him urges him to climb to the top. Within no time, he is on a very high branch, crowing out his lungs with all his might.
The bull, waiting behind, hears a distant sound. He recognises it - the sound of a gunshot. He turns away sadly. If only the cock had had the patience to hear what he had to say.
Moral of the story: Bullshit can get you to the top but it can't keep you there.
Once upon a time, there lived a bull in a forest. He was a very wise and intelligent animal, always teaching the other animals a lesson or two on how to live a full life. His horns were curved downwards, giving him the appearance of a well learned sage. Even animals from neighbouring forests came to him for words of wisdom. So famous was he for his practicality, that some of the carnivores were in danger of dying of hunger.
Once upon the same time, there was a cock who lived in a barn on the border of the forest. Having all the hens to himself, he was one of the most content beings around. He strutted about, proud of himself. But patience was something he never tried to achieve. He just couldn't control himself in matters of focus and perseverance. There came a time when he hit a rough patch in his life [who knows, maybe a midlife crisis]. Not knowing what to do, he began to lose his confidence and drive. So one day, in total desparation, he decided to have a chat with the bull. After sharing his personal life with the bull, he asked the usual question, 'What do you think I must do now?'
The bull gave it a good deal of thought and then answered in a soft voice, 'You must have a little of my dung.' A little of his answer to nature's call? That couldn't be. Impossible! Maybe he had heard wrong. So he asked once more, 'What must I do?' Again the same reply. The cock was convinced this guy had lost it. Or maybe he was making fun of his situation. He started to shout and make a noise about it; but the bull calmed him down and repeated that that was what he would have to do. So the cock told the bull that if it didn't work, he would, in return, have to eat his droppings. Ridiculous, eating a bull's dung. So what if he was the wisest?
Next morning, just as the sun was rising, the cock comes to the bull and is offered a little dung. Wanting to get it over with [and deep down, thinking that if this failed, the wisest of all animals would be eating his droppings], he nibbles at a small piece. Suddenly, he is filled with a new energy. The world ceases to be its bland self and begins to fill with vibrant colours. Everything comes to life at that moment. As if a veil had just fallen off from before his eyes. His senses are heightened like never before. Now he can see clearly, hear clearly and feel the surroundings with all his being. The bull begins to say something but he is too impatient to stay there and listen. Not looking back to even thank the bull, he starts to run. When he reaches the tallest tree in the forest, he looks up and sees its branches that seem to touch the sky. But the new energy in him urges him to climb to the top. Within no time, he is on a very high branch, crowing out his lungs with all his might.
The bull, waiting behind, hears a distant sound. He recognises it - the sound of a gunshot. He turns away sadly. If only the cock had had the patience to hear what he had to say.
Moral of the story: Bullshit can get you to the top but it can't keep you there.
posted by heston at 12:33 AM
1 Comments:
is this stolen?
or are you really a poet, a writer and a storyteller?
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