Little-rabbit and Little-snake always met and played at the animal square, but this was without the knowledge of their respective parents. The two friends were very young and knew virtually nothing about the hostile relationship that existed between their families. They had no fear and saw no threat in each. To the little friends, the world was a friendly place full of playful beings with no malice, bitterness, or rancor. As time went on, both the Little-rabbit and the Little-snake got so fond of each other that they always wanted to see each other more often.
As long as Little-snake had her breakfast, she would slither down to the edge of the animal square and send out her beckon call to the Little-rabbit. Once the rabbit heard the call, she would respond and hurry down to the square to meet his good friend Little-snake for another great session of games and play. By the end of each play session, they would have accumulated enough happiness to last them till the next time they would meet. The tradition in the animal kingdom required that after the coming of age ceremony, every mother should take a time out to educate their children who have come of age about certain theories of life. Such theories include those deemed to be essential for survival in the harsh world of animals.
To the surprise of the innocent Little-snake, Little-rabbit was at the top of the list of the things that Mother-snake wanted to talk about to Little-snake. "Do you know that little animal with a corky head and large ears?" Mother-snake asked Little-snake. "Yes, of course," replied Little-snake. "That is rabbit, my very good friend," Little-snake submitted, wondering what Mother-snake had to say. "That friendship must end today," said Mother-snake. "The rabbit is an easy prey, and a good meal for us snakes. In fact, we snakes thrive on eating rabbits," Mother-snake continued. "So, when next you see the rabbit, make sure you kill her and bring her home for us all to dine upon," Mother-snake concluded.
Little-snake tried to explain to her mother that Little-rabbit was such an innocent and harmless good friend, and that it would be very tough for her to kill such a close friend, much more eat her. However, Mother-snake insisted on her point. "It is either you kill the rabbit for food or you starve to death," Mother-snake cautioned. "How did you think I got the food you ate everyday after playing with your friend? I killed other rabbits," Mother-snake continued. "This is the world, and it requires the survival of the fittest, it is the tradition." When Mother-snake was done with her, Little-snake was convinced to kill her friend, the Little-rabbit, when next they met to play.
The next day, after breakfast, Little-snake slithered down to the animal square. Her views about life had been changed by the mother's education on survival. It was painful that she had to kill her friend Little-rabbit, but her mother's warning continued to ring very loudly in her head - "It is either you kill the rabbit for food or you starve to death." To make matters worse, other snakes in Little-snake's family followed her down to the square to make sure she killed Little-rabbit once Little-rabbit showed up for play. However, they kept their distance so that they would not scare Little-rabbit away. It would be Little-snake's first kill, and her family of snakes were ready to celebrate with her or to kill her if she showed signs of weakness or betrayed the family of snakes. When Little-snake got to the animal square, she put out her usual beckon-call for the innocent Little-rabbit. "My good friend rabbit, this is your dear friend Little-snake calling
for you to come out and play," Little-snake shouted, but there was no sign of Little-rabbit. For a moment, all the snakes thought that Little-rabbit would not show, but then something shook the leaves in a nearby shrub. It was Little-rabbit.
Little-snake was sad but relieved to know that Little-rabbit did show up, so she readied herself for the killer-pounce. However, Little-rabbit did not move beyond the shrub where she stood. "What is it, my friend Little-rabbit? Why would you not come closer and into the square?" asked Little-snake. Little-rabbit made sure of her safety distance and then responded from the safety of the shrub. "My good friend Little-snake, my mother has told me the same thing that your mother has told you."
It happened that the night before, while Mother-snake advised Little-snake about life, Mother-rabbit had called Little-rabbit aside to talk to her. Little-snake was at the top of the list on what Mother-rabbit talked about. Mother-rabbit was actually shocked when she learnt that Little-rabbit had been playing with Little-snake, though Little-rabbit insisted that Little-snake was her very good friend. "No snake could be your good friend," Mother-rabbit had cautioned. Little-rabbit was distraught. "I like Little-snake, she is very playful, and I cannot possibly hate her," she had complained. "How can I stop seeing the only person who gives me the greatest happiness?" Little-rabbit had asked her mother. "Do not hate her," Mother-rabbit had answered. "Continue to give her your love, but keep your distance, my child."
Mother-rabbit had then gone on to warn Little-rabbit to stay clear of Little-snake and any other snake of any kind. "This is the world, and you require some wit, and some common sense to survive," she had said. "You must always keep your guard up, because there are those who dwell on the weaker ones. They are always waiting to pounce on you at your weakest moment."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York. He is also a filmmaker and a Published Poet and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit www.olivermbamara.com
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