The Lion and the Skunk.

[Martial_Artist]

I posted this as a response to another topic in another thread. I thought I would like to share it with everyone.

Let me tell you a story:

A lion was walking a mountain path that lead to the peak of a very high mountain. As he walked the path he crossed a skunk who was sulking off in the shade of a tree. As the lion passed the skunk the skunk took notice and called out to the lion. The lion continued walking his path ignoring the skunk. The skunk became agitated and challenged the lion to a fight. He called out to the other animals in the forest to come watch as he would defeat the lion. The lion continued walking, paying no attention the skunk. This angered the skunk who began calling the lion a coward and questioning the position of the lion as king of the forest. The lion kept walking. The skunk soon got tired of trying to fight the lion and returned to his shady spot, claiming victory over the cowardly lion, shouting out to the animals in the forest that he was the one that should be king. The lion kept walking his path never giving attention the skunk.

If you were the lion what would you have done?

Do you think the animals of the forest believed the skunk's claim of victory? Why?

Why do you think the lion didn't fight the skunk? Could it have been because he was busy or was there some other reason?

Ponder that.

[parkerlineage]

I believe the true meaning lies neither with the skunk, nor the lion, but with the question of where this happening took place. For, we see, in order for a skunk to meet a lion, we are presented with this revelation:

One of them is lost.

If the skunk is lost, it is clear why the lion does not battle the smaller animal. He is a jerk. In his fright at being lost, the skunk has cried out for help to the lion, and the cat has simply ignored the pleas of the smaller animal. This, obviously, angers the skunk, who is merely trying to get home. Finally, becoming delusional, the skunk begins screaming that he should be king of the forest, in hopes that his cries will attract someone to help him in his plight.

If it is the lion, he has obviously escaped his captivity in whatever zoo or haven he was held in, and is attempting to reach the top of the mountain so that he can attempt to find Africa, or at least a boat.

His reluctance to do battle with the skunk is thereby easily explainable - he is lost, and longs for his home with far greater hope than victory over this strange forest creature. He knows that he is not really the king of the forest, since he does not like forests, but the plains.

I hope this has shed a bit of light for you - whether it be spiritually, zoologically, or geographically.

Peace;

Parkerlineage

Edited May 27, 2005 by parkerlineage

[ninjanurse]

You sure made me smile....thanks!!!!

[Kaminari]

Well, we know that, despite the nasty stench of the skunk, the lion would win physically, no doubt. Knowing this, put yourself in the position of the lion. A smaller, weaker person calls for your attention, but you, not knowing them, don't respond. They get angry and challenge you to a fight. Do you smite your newfound enemy? Or do you do the mature and right thing, and walk away? I think the lion is doing what most of us would do in a siuation like this: leave the stranger to his shouting and go about your business.

Just my 2 cents.

[AngelaG]

The lion doesn't fight because although he knows he could win he would still smell like cr*p afterwards. He stands to gain nothing by going back and fighting the skunk, other than a nasty lingering reminder of what he has done.

[Sam]

Its amazing what you can read into such a simple story!

I like the explanation you gave parkerlineage - attention to detail!!

[Kicks]

The lion knew the skunk could kill him. That's right, had the lion snatched the little skunk in his jaws he would have choked to death.