A long time ago Man walked this
earth as he chose to. He went to the places he wanted to
see, not hindered by anything or anyone.
One day Man came to a small bayou where he could see
blackberry bushes on the other side. The morning dew on the
bushes made the berries shine in the early sunlight. The man
knew of a long limb that had broke off an old oak tree and
fell across the narrow bayou and he felt certain that he
could walk on it and cross to the other side. So, without
further haste the man dashed along side of the bayou until
he came to the fallen limb. The limb was very narrow and the
bayou ran very swift from the previous three days of rain.
His mind made up, he hesitated no longer. With the thought
of the plump berries he started inching his way across the
narrow limb. Three quarters of the way he met up with a
skunk that had a broken leg. Skunk barred his way. In those
days man and creature did not get along.
In an angry voice the man shouted, "You! Smelly
creature, you must back up so I can reach the other side."
The creature grimaced in pain, "My leg is broken, and I
cannot turn around."
Man took a step forward, "I must reach the other side,
and there are wonderful berries there."
Skunk raised his voice, also becoming irritated, "Then
step over me and be gone so I can be on my way, there are
bigger and juicier berries where I’m going."
Man moved a little closer to Skunk, "I cannot step over
you, the limb is too narrow, I might slip and fall in the
bayou."
Neither one wanted to give ground. Man thought that if
he could kick Skunk off of the limb and in to the water he
could cross to the other side. But, maybe Skunk would drown.
Even though he didn’t like creatures of four legs he could
not drown one either. Besides, if he slipped in the attempt
to kick the skunk off, he himself might fall in to the water
and drown.
Skunk thought that he should spray the two-legged
thing, then surely it would turn around and run away from
the smell. But, in doing so, the two-legged thing would not
be able to see and could fall in the bayou and drown. Skunk
did not like Man, but he could not make one drown. He
thought of turning around. But no. If he tried to turn
around on only three legs he would surely fall in the swift
moving water and drown. From early morning until the sun was
straight above they pondered their dilemma, each not wanting
to give way.
Finally, after some time had went by, Skunk said.
"I have the answer to our problem."
"You decided to back up, didn’t you?" Man answered.
"No, but I can show you wonderful berries where I’m
going if you would only pick me up and carry me there."
Man laughed, "I know where the berries are; they are
behind you."
Skunk nodded, "Yes, but where I’m going the berries are
sweeter and more plentiful."
On hearing this, Man looked up at the passing sun. He
had been standing there for many hours. "You say the berries
are sweeter where you are going?"
Skunk said. "Yes, that is true."
The position of the sun told man that the day was
running out.
"I’ll do as you say." Man said.
Man picked up the four-legged creature gently and held
him at arms length. Slowly he began to inch his body around
on the narrow limb and walked back to the end of the limb
where he was hours before and followed the creatures
directions. A short time later they came upon what seemed to
be dozens of blackberry bushes. Man placed Skunk on the
ground, walked over to the bushes and began to pick the
beautiful berries.
When man had gathered a handful he walked back to where
skunk waited and sat on the ground next to him.
“You were right, the berries are the sweetest
I’ve ever had. Thank you.”
Man felt good in saying this and shared the berries
with Skunk. From that moment on man carried skunk with him
wherever he went.
Since then, Man and Creature live in perfect harmony.”
Carlton ( Achoba) Sonnier
January 22, 1966 |
