He was old but could just remember the plains of his native Africa where he had fathered many young cubs. Now, he was a prisoner in a small, concrete cage – 8 paces wide, 8 paces deep. He had been captured as a young, virile specimen and given to the dictator of that country as a present. But he had been neglected; his one remaining eye was troubling him, his teeth were few and yellowed and his diet was meagre. He was alone without company and for most of the time, ignored.
Then the Men came; many of them and armed with bricks and stones; they surrounded his cage. The bricks hurt; his miserable diet meant he was thin and patches of his once glorious hair were falling out. There was no escape from the torment, nowhere to hide, to run, to escape. The noise was deafening; the screams of anger from the Men hurt his ears. Each hit hurt him more and if he could have spoken he would have said
“please, Lord, release me from this evil for which
I am not responsible and cannot understand”
And he lay down and surrendered his body; unable to withstand the onslaught, he simply lay down and waited for the inevitable. Death.
And I…..I watched, helpless, knowing that if I interfered, I would also be stoned by a crazed mob who, with no other avenue to show their anger at their own sad state, had to kill a once proud animal.
This happened in a so-called civilised European country just 20 years ago.
I am often tormented by my lack of courage…. and it is therapeutic to put that event in writing.
Until next time,
Peripatetic Scribe
In under 300 words, you have managed to write a brilliant, horrifying, heart-breaking blog showing how disgusting mankind is when he is consumed by anger. I have never seen such an incredible piece of short writing that captures the horrible behaviour that man is capable of showing to animals. This deserves a very wide audience - the messages are so clear and so important. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI live in England and this story is something I have never heard before. Man is the only "animal" on this planet who can kill without remorse. Do we deserve what we have been given? NO. Thank you for this; I would like to know what has happened to that "country" in the last 20 years, P.S.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous - I had no idea of the length but yes, it is horrifying what a "human" can do. Yes, it is inhuman but we are so focused on our own small selves we cannot (do not want to) see the bigger picture.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anonymous in England. Thanks for your comment and I agree that we very rarely care about what we have been given to look after for future generations. The country, even after 20 years, is still in a semi-anarchic state; living conditions have improved but marginally even though a lot of money has been thrown at the country over that period. Unemployment is still high and huge numbers of young people leave as they cannot find work or feel the grass is greener in the next field (which it probably is!).
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely horrifying (extremely powerfully written)! I am always horrified by people and their cruelty, irrationality, egoism etc., believing they are the true lords of nature and can do whatever they feel like. Nevertheless, I believe they will soon feel the consequences of their behaviour (some are already beginning to understand). They really more than deserve it.
ReplyDeleteLucana
Hi Lucana and thanks for your comment. It will still take time for the majority to "wake up" and understand but more are joining the journey so I do have hope for the future! P.S.
ReplyDelete