Sunset on the Savannah
That night, Taki dreamed all the way home . . . home? It seemed strange to think of the zoo as home now. Her enclosure had once seemed so spacious, but now she had a new definition of spaciousness, a new definition of freedom. So she dreamed of the Savannah as the Land Rover bounced along and as the handler led her to her enclosure with its imitation landscaping and its cloying atmosphere of thick, diverse smells. Tonight the moon shone full with wispy clouds racing across its bright face. The lights of the zoo compound obscured the light show overhead, but they did not eclipse it entirely. Taki felt a strange longing as she drifted off to sleep, watching it.
The next day, the handler appeared early. Taki followed him with gladness, impatient to return to the wide new land he had introduced her to. Today another man joined them in the vehicle and they chatted as they drove. Taki’s crate was stacked all around with lumber and wire, and it made a horrible racket as they drove. The whole thing gave her a strange, irritable feeling, but at least she would soon be out in the wind and the sun. The day didn’t play out as she had expected. The handler took her for a walk as always, and when they returned, his companion greeted them. The wooden posts and rolls of wire that had rattled Taki’s crate during the drive had all been unloaded. Now, some of the posts were sticking out of the ground in a row.
Taki’s handler tied her close to the vehicle so she could lay down in its shade. As she watched, he began digging holes. The two men worked together all day, and when they had finished, a pen, like a zoo cage, stood all by itself, looking out of place in the wide expanse of the Savannah. The handler led Taki into it and allowed her to nose around for a while. There was a plywood enclosure on one end, filled with straw. The rest of the pen stood open to the elements. Taki soon grew bored and the handler led her back out.
That evening they played the same “chase the dinner” game they’d played the day before. Taki was ready this time, but the vehicle was ready, too. It gave her quite a run before she caught her dinner. When she had finished the satisfying exercise of devouring it, the handler led her to the pen and let her inside. He removed the leash and shut the door. Taki felt a slight rush of fear. Would he leave her here all alone?
- Lioness in Pen
He did. She watched the Land Rover bounce away over the rough terrain, feeling dismayed, lonely and a little excited. The sky grew bright with wild colors she had seldom seen in such glory from her zoo enclosure. Its walls had been too high. Tonight, though, the colors all around her continued all the way to the ground. So did the darkness, when the colors faded. And then the moon rose, deep yellow at first, but growing more silvery as it ascended the sky. Taki lay there watching it, its brightness more dazzling than it had ever been from the zoo. A cool breeze tickled the soft hairs in her ears, and she heard the noises begin.
The story begins:
Taki Goes Home
Taki Goes Home 2: Awakening
The story continues: Taki Goes Home (4): Not Such a Tame Lioness
Taki Goes Home (5): Solitary, but not Alone
(Credit to Milt Rodriguez, from whom I heard this parable.)
I suspected she was a lion, but enjoyed getting there. I hope life works out well for her. Team USA were twice delayed by elephants as they tried to get to their base in the run up to the FIFA world cup. What an occasion. Our streets were deadlocked, but the event went off so well. I am not normally a soccer fan, but its happening in our country and the nation is so ecstatic, especially about the national team. Tonight USA face England, in what could be a great encounter – so as I am neutral, for your sake I will shout for the USA – if I watch, that is. Your team is also close to lions and other wild animals as they are in a game ranch – I bet it ensures their privacy and rests their weary souls – Africa has a way of doing just that. Thanks for Taki and blessings – will keep following her story. Pete
Thanks, Peter
I’ll probably have to update the whole thing after I talk to Milt, because I’m just going on my memory, but it’s such a great parable of the ideal journey for believers as they move on from the traditional church setting. Ideally, you would have someone to introduce you to the “wilds” and teach you to hunt for yourself. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many ‘lion handlers’ around.
It sounds like sporting events in South Africa are a lot more interesting than they are here. In the US (at least on the coasts), we have no elephants — only rioters who are either ecstatic that their team won or angry at a loss. (sigh) Elephants sound a lot more civilized.
Actually, I’m sure most of the pre and post game festivities are peaceful and fun and (of course) not covered by nightly news. Meanwhile, I’ll bet the guys are thoroughly enjoying the game ranch. I would!
Blessings, Bro!
Cindy
Hello. I’ve finally gotten around to updating my blogroll with your new site. I’ll have to stop by here later, when time wllows for reading.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
What a wonderful story . . .and it a great analogy to coming out of the church system. People get comfortable and find a security in the system – but its bondage on several levels. Souls remain in lack, but don’t realize it because it is all they’ve known. It can be scary at first, simply because it is different, to come to God as He is without everything eslse – but nothing compares to the freedom of that true deep relationship.
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel