Lion and Little Mouse (Story)

As autumn and harvest time change to long winter days, it is time to share this story with my readers.

~ESA
_____________________________________________________________

Lion and Little Mouse

One day a little mouse was scurrying about trying to prepare for the cold dark winter days ahead. She was a tiny thing, even for a mouse, but she had a very big heart. Before making her own preparations, she stopped to help others first. By the time she started her own preparations, there wasn't much left in reach.

The little mouse ranged farther and farther from the safety of her home looking for what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. On one of these long journeys, she broke through the tall golden autumn grass and found herself practically nose to nose with a lion that had been resting there. Her whiskers quivered in fear and a piercing startled squeak leapt from her throat on its own volition. 

Her squeak must have awakened the sleeping lion for he opened his golden eyes and gazed calmly at her. Realizing she had just disturbed the King of all the animals, the little mouse hunkered down and lowered her large round ears. "I- I'm sorry, Your Great Majesty, for disturbing your rest," she timidly squeaked and quickly turned to scamper off. 

The lion's quick paw came down gently but firmly on her little furred tail pinning her there, regardless of how fast her paws scrambled against the ground. The poor little mouse was now terrified and she froze in horror with the realization that she was now trapped. 

The lion smiled gently and picked the little mouse up by her tail and lightly placed her on his other paw, bringing her closer to his penetrating gaze. Though sunlight sparkled from his own whiskers, the little mouse couldn't peel her eyes from the sharp white teeth that were now clearly visible. 

A gentle chuckle rose from the lion's broad chest. "Don't be afraid, little mouse. I am not hungry nor do I toy with you. What brings such a little mouse so far from her home?" 

"Oh, please, Your Majesty! I was just preparing for the dark winter days ahead. All the supplies within reach were already gathered near my home so I had to go further out this year seeking what I need. Please just let me go and I'll be on my way. I did not wish to disturb you." 

"And why did you not gather what you needed before now, little mouse?" 

"I helped some of my friends and neighbors to make sure they were ready for the cold dark winter days ahead. That is why I had a late start. Again, kind Lion, please let me go and I'll be on my way." 

"Not so fast, little mouse. Why did you not seek help of your friends and neighbors when you set out to gather your own supplies?" 

"I am still young and able. I do not wish to be a burden to anyone as long as I am able to do for myself."

"Ah!" commented the lion. "But now you are far from home and alone. But you are not truly alone; for I am here. I will help you."

"You?!?" squeaked the mouse curling her tiny ears back along her head. "Why would the King of all the Animals want to help a little mouse like me?" 

The lion smiled knowingly and lowered the mouse to the ground. "There may be a day when I need your help." 

Puzzled the little mouse tilted her head back to look up at the lion that towered over her; the sunlight danced in his noble mane so very, very far above her. "If there is ever a time when you need my help, I am willing to do so. But you do not need to help me now, Noble Lion." 

The lion's smile broadened and his golden eyes sparkled with a secret knowledge. "Even if you believe that now, little mouse, I will help you. It will make your quest easier and you will be ready for the cold dark winter days ahead." 

And so the lion helped the little mouse, lifting her high so she could reach what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. He even carried the little mouse and her supplies back to her home.

"I thank you, friend Lion," squeaked the little mouse from her doorway. "And if you ever need any help that I can provide, I will gladly do so. But I still cannot think HOW a little mouse like myself will be able to help the King of all the animals." 

The lion smiled knowingly and nodded his acceptance of her thanks and timid offer of help. "We shall see what the future holds." 

Some days later, the lion was out on patrol. The nearby man's village was growing. It was near sundown on this day, and the construction site had been abandoned by the workers. Curious as to what they were doing, he wandered among the buildings and poked his whiskered white-tipped nose here and there. 

It wasn't long before his great forepaw came down on a small steel roofing nail. At first it didn't hurt as much, but the more he tried to work it out, the deeper the nail bit into his paw. At last the pain was too great and an agonized roar escaped his throat.

All the animals heard their King's roar of pain. They all ran, hopped, scampered and trotted toward the sound. But each and every one of the animals stopped at the edge of construction site. None would dare enter where humans have tread, even to help their King. 

The lion by then was in such pain he couldn't walk the distance back to where the animals were. "Please, help me!" begged the lion. "The nail has bitten deep into my paw and I cannot get it out!" 

None of the animals moved, but the crowd observing their King's pain grew as more and more animals arrived at the scene. 

At last the little mouse also arrived. She had to weave in and out of all the other animals to see what the commotion was about. When she saw her lion friend hurt in the middle of what man had made, she turned to the other animals. "Can't you see he's in pain? Why has no one gone to help him?" 

"Foolish little mouse!" growled the black panther. "That's man's world. Even I will not go there. If that lion decided to enter into man's world, he's on his own. We will not risk own hides to help him."

The little mouse's whiskers quivered in rage. "How can you say that? Isn't he your King as well as mine? I don't care where he is, I'll go over there and help him." With a swish of her long tail, she scampered over the embankment and entered the construction site. 

In a few minutes she was once again before the lion, her sides heaving from the long run. The lion looked down at the little mouse with pain in his golden eyes, and he looked back across the way at all the gathered animals. "Why is it only you who has come to my aide?" he asked.

"They don't want to enter man's world; they're afraid." She looked around herself with wide panicked eyes. "I'm a bit frightened too, but I remembered my promise to you. I'll help if I can. But I'm so little I don't know if my services will do you any good." 

"Yes, you can help, little friend." The lion stretched forth the forepaw. "There is a nail in my paw and it hurts something fierce." 

The little mouse scurried over the great paw and tilted her head as she studied the nail. "It's such a little nail. It's actually a bit smaller than I am." She stood up on her hindpaws and gripped the nail with both forepaws. Then she pulled with all her might.

The lion hissed a moment as the nail pulled free and then sighed greatly in relief. "Thank you, little friend. That is much better." He lowered his shoulder to the little mouse. "Get on my back, little mouse. I will carry you home. You have come a great distance to help me." 

She gratefully hopped on his shoulder and climbed the rest of the way to his spine where she comfortably settled herself at the base of his golden mane. As she rode back through the construction site, she noted the look of all the gathered animals. They were not happy. Though they did not want to help the lion, they were not happy that she received special treatment because she did. She felt even more timid and her tummy started to flutter. "Friend Lion......" she began hesitantly. 

"Yes, little mouse?" answered the lion as he gazed over his shoulder at her. 

"Can I ask something of you... I'm very grateful for all your help before and for the ride now, but what I did was such a small thing. Please don't treat me any differently than the other animals." 

The lion paused and fixed the little mouse with his golden gaze. "But you are the one who came out to help me where no one else would go." 

"To me it doesn't matter. I'd help you out of friendship, not for a reward. Please, Your Majesty, I'm just a little mouse, shy like all my kind. Don't you see the way the others glare in my direction. I'm not comfortable way up high like this. Just let me be me and free, that is what I desire."

"If you are certain, so shall it be, my little friend." 

So once again, the lion carried the little mouse to her home and let her scamper down to her front door. "I shall not forget this, friend, even if everyone else does. Call on me if you ever need help again." 

The mouse smiled warmly. "Thank you, friend Lion. And if I can ever help you again, don't hesitate to call on me." 

And they were good friends ever since.

Lion and Little Mouse (Story)

As we are in the time of autumn leaves and harvest, just before long winter days. It is a perfect time to share this story with my readers.

~ESA
_____________________________________________________________

Lion and Little Mouse

One day a little mouse was scurrying about trying to prepare for the cold dark winter days ahead. She was a tiny thing, even for a mouse, but she had a very big heart. Before making her own preparations, she stopped to help others first. By the time she started her own preparations, there wasn't much left in reach.

The little mouse ranged farther and farther from the safety of her home looking for what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. On one of these long journeys, she broke through the tall golden autumn grass and found herself practically nose to nose with a lion that had been resting there. Her whiskers quivered in fear and a piercing startled squeak leapt from her throat on its own volition. 

Her squeak must have awakened the sleeping lion for he opened his golden eyes and gazed calmly at her. Realizing she had just disturbed the King of all the animals, the little mouse hunkered down and lowered her large round ears. "I- I'm sorry, Your Great Majesty, for disturbing your rest," she timidly squeaked and quickly turned to scamper off. 

The lion's quick paw came down gently but firmly on her little furred tail pinning her there, regardless of how fast her paws scrambled against the ground. The poor little mouse was now terrified and she froze in horror with the realization that she was now trapped. 

The lion smiled gently and picked the little mouse up by her tail and lightly placed her on his other paw, bringing her closer to his penetrating gaze. Though sunlight sparkled from his own whiskers, the little mouse couldn't peel her eyes from the sharp white teeth that were now clearly visible. 

A gentle chuckle rose from the lion's broad chest. "Don't be afraid, little mouse. I am not hungry nor do I toy with you. What brings such a little mouse so far from her home?" 

"Oh, please, Your Majesty! I was just preparing for the dark winter days ahead. All the supplies within reach were already gathered near my home so I had to go further out this year seeking what I need. Please just let me go and I'll be on my way. I did not wish to disturb you." 

"And why did you not gather what you needed before now, little mouse?" 

"I helped some of my friends and neighbors to make sure they were ready for the cold dark winter days ahead. That is why I had a late start. Again, kind Lion, please let me go and I'll be on my way." 

"Not so fast, little mouse. Why did you not seek help of your friends and neighbors when you set out to gather your own supplies?" 

"I am still young and able. I do not wish to be a burden to anyone as long as I am able to do for myself."

"Ah!" commented the lion. "But now you are far from home and alone. But you are not truly alone; for I am here. I will help you."

"You?!?" squeaked the mouse curling her tiny ears back along her head. "Why would the King of all the Animals want to help a little mouse like me?" 

The lion smiled knowingly and lowered the mouse to the ground. "There may be a day when I need your help." 

Puzzled the little mouse tilted her head back to look up at the lion that towered over her; the sunlight danced in his noble mane so very, very far above her. "If there is ever a time when you need my help, I am willing to do so. But you do not need to help me now, Noble Lion." 

The lion's smile broadened and his golden eyes sparkled with a secret knowledge. "Even if you believe that now, little mouse, I will help you. It will make your quest easier and you will be ready for the cold dark winter days ahead." 

And so the lion helped the little mouse, lifting her high so she could reach what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. He even carried the little mouse and her supplies back to her home.

"I thank you, friend Lion," squeaked the little mouse from her doorway. "And if you ever need any help that I can provide, I will gladly do so. But I still cannot think HOW a little mouse like myself will be able to help the King of all the animals." 

The lion smiled knowingly and nodded his acceptance of her thanks and timid offer of help. "We shall see what the future holds." 

Some days later, the lion was out on patrol. The nearby man's village was growing. It was near sundown on this day, and the construction site had been abandoned by the workers. Curious as to what they were doing, he wandered among the buildings and poked his whiskered white-tipped nose here and there. 

It wasn't long before his great forepaw came down on a small steel roofing nail. At first it didn't hurt as much, but the more he tried to work it out, the deeper the nail bit into his paw. At last the pain was too great and an agonized roar escaped his throat.

All the animals heard their King's roar of pain. They all ran, hopped, scampered and trotted toward the sound. But each and every one of the animals stopped at the edge of construction site. None would dare enter where humans have tread, even to help their King. 

The lion by then was in such pain he couldn't walk the distance back to where the animals were. "Please, help me!" begged the lion. "The nail has bitten deep into my paw and I cannot get it out!" 

None of the animals moved, but the crowd observing their King's pain grew as more and more animals arrived at the scene. 

At last the little mouse also arrived. She had to weave in and out of all the other animals to see what the commotion was about. When she saw her lion friend hurt in the middle of what man had made, she turned to the other animals. "Can't you see he's in pain? Why has no one gone to help him?" 

"Foolish little mouse!" growled the black panther. "That's man's world. Even I will not go there. If that lion decided to enter into man's world, he's on his own. We will not risk own hides to help him."

The little mouse's whiskers quivered in rage. "How can you say that? Isn't he your King as well as mine? I don't care where he is, I'll go over there and help him." With a swish of her long tail, she scampered over the embankment and entered the construction site. 

In a few minutes she was once again before the lion, her sides heaving from the long run. The lion looked down at the little mouse with pain in his golden eyes, and he looked back across the way at all the gathered animals. "Why is it only you who has come to my aide?" he asked.

"They don't want to enter man's world; they're afraid." She looked around herself with wide panicked eyes. "I'm a bit frightened too, but I remembered my promise to you. I'll help if I can. But I'm so little I don't know if my services will do you any good." 

"Yes, you can help, little friend." The lion stretched forth the forepaw. "There is a nail in my paw and it hurts something fierce." 

The little mouse scurried over the great paw and tilted her head as she studied the nail. "It's such a little nail. It's actually a bit smaller than I am." She stood up on her hindpaws and gripped the nail with both forepaws. Then she pulled with all her might.

The lion hissed a moment as the nail pulled free and then sighed greatly in relief. "Thank you, little friend. That is much better." He lowered his shoulder to the little mouse. "Get on my back, little mouse. I will carry you home. You have come a great distance to help me." 

She gratefully hopped on his shoulder and climbed the rest of the way to his spine where she comfortably settled herself at the base of his golden mane. As she rode back through the construction site, she noted the look of all the gathered animals. They were not happy. Though they did not want to help the lion, they were not happy that she received special treatment because she did. She felt even more timid and her tummy started to flutter. "Friend Lion......" she began hesitantly. 

"Yes, little mouse?" answered the lion as he gazed over his shoulder at her. 

"Can I ask something of you... I'm very grateful for all your help before and for the ride now, but what I did was such a small thing. Please don't treat me any differently than the other animals." 

The lion paused and fixed the little mouse with his golden gaze. "But you are the one who came out to help me where no one else would go." 

"To me it doesn't matter. I'd help you out of friendship, not for a reward. Please, Your Majesty, I'm just a little mouse, shy like all my kind. Don't you see the way the others glare in my direction. I'm not comfortable way up high like this. Just let me be me and free, that is what I desire." 

"If you are certain, so shall it be, my little friend." 

So once again, the lion carried the little mouse to her home and let her scamper down to her front door. "I shall not forget this, friend, even if everyone else does. Call on me if you ever need help again." 

The mouse smiled warmly. "Thank you, friend Lion. And if I can ever help you again, don't hesitate to call on me." 

And they were good friends ever since.

Everyday Blessings

This world teaches us many lessons. One I find both sad and demoralizing is where we are told every day: We need the latest and greatest toys. If we don't have them, we are nothing. While I could rant at great length about the message advertisers and corporations spread to us daily, I will instead share a list of everyday blessings of which I'm certain the majority of my readers enjoy, while not even realizing what blessings they are...

Clean Running Water - Hot is a Bonus!

When we take a shower, or run our toothbrushes under a faucet, do we consider the blessing we have. It's something many never consider a blessing.

We take it for granted that it will always be there. We don't think about it until something major happens that takes it away, and we find ourselves in line at the local shelter or water distribution point with containers in hand...

Many in this world do not need to wait for a disaster; it's part of their daily lives. Some are in remote corners of the world; but some are right in our neighborhood. There are whole families living in vans with no running water.

Roof over Our Head - Dry is a Bonus!

When we see it pouring rain outside, do we remember the blessing we have right over our head? Unless we experience its loss, we may not realize what a blessing it truly is.

Some loose their roof due to financial reasons, others through fires, floods or natural disasters. Many lost it through no fault of their own.

Even when there is a roof, it may not be dry; roof repairs are costly. In a tight market, it's a choice between food and the leaky roof. Sometimes it's a matter of waiting for the insurance company to get around to sending the check - months after the disaster. Even small leaks can lead to big problems when mold and wood rot set in.

Food on the Table - Nutritious is a Bonus!

When we sit down to our next meal, or even "take it on the run", do we understand the blessing before us?

Food is a resource we cannot live without. The fact we can eat foods "out of season" any time day or night in most corners of the world is an amazing blessing of our day. Refrigeration and freezers are an added blessing to help keep leftovers beyond the next morning. Otherwise the food would be inedible - even dangerous to consume.

Yet, there are many without food. There are many more whose only food is the cheap stuff that holds little nutritional value. In fact, the healthy food is often the most expensive food in the market! When did chips become cheaper than cold cuts?

A conversation I recently overheard brings this blessing to light. One person was complaining that a recent storm made him late driving home from work, so he he ended up eating dinner late that night. A friend of his replied, "Hang in there buddy... it's worse when you're trying to make dinner over a can fire in an alleyway... (I've done that)."

A Bed to Sleep in - Warm is a Bonus!

When we lay our heads down to rest, do we count where we lay a blessing? There are places where it's too noisy to sleep. Some people must deal with pests chewing on them where they rest. Some, have no place to lay their head at all...

For those that do have a bed, how many lack clean bedding? Or lack the comfort of heat in their home so their teeth chatter as they shiver under the blankets?

How many people face this question each year: "Where will we sleep tonight?"

Ability to Read - Reading this Blog is a Bonus!

How often do we appreciate the ability to read? How often have we thought about it outside of school or watching kids learn to read?

Literacy is truly a blessing many take for granted. To some, even in our own town, reading this text is as difficult as reading the bar code to the left. That's the bar code, not the numbers below it! Can you read the product number, price and other information that's there? I can't.

As to reading this blog as a bonus, I am not getting narcissistic. I mean having the ability to get online, go to this website and read it. Whether we use a public access computer, a work connection, computer in our home, or one of those hand-held tools that enable you to read this website from anywhere - it's an added blessing! In the US and abroad, there is an ever-widening gap of the technical divide. Those who have and those who will be left behind. Already I've been excluded from store sales because I do not have a smart phone to read the funky squares. 

How much do we exclude our brothers and sisters when they don't have these blessings? How much do we ignore the people who struggle to complete a job application - many of which are online?

The Toilet - Flushing is a Bonus!

Yes! The toilet!

No matter how little space we have, most of my readers likely have one of these (if not more than one) in their homes.

I consider this a blessing even when it doesn't flush, such as the portable or pit toilets. There are parts of the world where they don't have the luxury to actually SIT there, where one needs better aim for all needs at a hole in the corner of the room.

Even those facilities may be considered a blessing compared to the open-air latrine ditches others must use. While I've had to hike to a location with a spade or hide behind bushes in an emergency, I don't HAVE to relieve myself that way every time.

There is truly a blessing hidden behind that door.

Heat in Cold - Air Conditioning in Summer

How often do we count our blessings when we walk in from a cold day into a warm house? Many of us may even have the luxury of air-conditioning in the summer heat. If not, at least there may be a fan to help move around the air so it's not so hot to our skin.

We would be surprised at how many of our neighbors have to decide between heating or cooling their home and having food to eat. We cannot live without food.

Each summer, I hear news stories of people who succumb to the heat and die. In the winter, there are many who face their last day in an icy abode under what covers they have.

Do we even think about these things when we fight over the thermostat with our co-workers?

Our Five Senses - All of them is a Bonus!

Do we count our senses as blessings? Our sight? Our hearing? Our ability to experience scents? Our ability to taste what's inside our mouth? Our ability to touch something with our hands and skin?

Do we feel the breeze touch our skin or play with our hair? Do we pause to wonder at what meets our eyes or ears? Do we savor the wistful scent of burning wood or barbeque? Do we stop to experience the hot or cold sensation and explosion of taste in our mouth as we chew or swallow?

We experience life every day through our senses; they are each a blessing.

Our Sense of Humor - Ability to Laugh at Ourselves is a Bonus!

I have no doubt God laughs; Christ has exhibited a sense of humor too. It's something God shares with His creations - with us! And it is a blessing.

Smiles and laughter are universal; it's something we all share, regardless of our diverse languages and cultures. Many a tense situation can be diffused though shared laughter.

We also have within us the ability to laugh at ourselves. This life is way too short to take ourselves so seriously. Our "image" is such a hard and strenuous thing to maintain. We need to let go of what our ego (and advertisers) tell us we should look like, and just experience who we truly ARE. Let our inner light out and share our laughter with the world.

In doing so, we share a sweet blessing too.

Our Friends - Best Friends are a Bonus!

Friendship helps us form bonds with others. They are our personal connection to the world. And they are a mirror by which we see ourselves, reflecting what we share - bright light or dark bitterness.

Friends are a blessing in our lives. They lift our spirits, help us through tough times, share in our laughter and in our tears. They share our lives.

A far greater blessing are friends that stay by our side when the rest leave.

I treasure this blessing far more than many realize. I was the outcast in school, with no friends at all. It was hard not to believe that I was worthless trash. I did believe it - for decades. Some start with no friends; others may end with no friends beside them.

Those who have had friends over a lifetime may never truly understand the blessing they have before them. A blessing we can always share. Someone in our neighborhood right now is completely alone. Do we reach out our hand? 

Our Stories - Our Sharing

In this day of high-speed internet, smart-phones and high-definition television, we are deluged with entertainment and rapidly loose our recognition of an age-old blessing - sharing our stories.

Since we were sitting in caves sharpening flint, humanity has told stories to each other. Our stories have changed over the years, and how we tell them has changed. Some today still sit around a campfire or table. Others sit before a computer screen sharing their stories over a blog or other online means.

These are our lives that we share with others. These are what lives on when we can no longer speak.

Stories can even teach others; Christ used this. We may not remember lectures or speeches, but we will continue to re-tell good stories for generations to come.

Share your story; it's a blessing with wings.

- ESA

Different Set of Eyes

Recently a friend caused me some heartache. There are days when he is open, friendly and caring; other times when he is quite cold and callous. I know the later times are when his own suffering causes him to snap and be bitter, even toward those he considers friends. I will admit, though, sometimes it cuts me pretty deeply. I tell myself, "It's just the pain talking. Ignore it." But it's hard to ignore my pain, feeling that I am being treated badly - even worthless.

I have also realized there are times where I am baited into an argument, sometimes over the stupidest things! These I believe are ways in which, subconsciously, part of him is trying to prove that the frustration and anger he harbors toward me is justified. In turn, I become frustrated and angry at him.

There have been nights I sat awake, trying to will myself to forgive. Really forgive, not just say, "I forgive you" and then run through my mind all the times he hurt me. More, my mind would go over those silly arguments in minute detail trying to prove that I was right and he was wrong. This, after all, was just MY ego getting in the way and preventing me from truly forgiving him. I need to completely let it go and open my heart to love, not hate or even the simple human grumbling we tend to do about people that hurt us.

On one of these nights, I finally realized why he lashes out when he's in pain. It is part of his defense system, to project the pain, frustration and anger outward. I was just an easy target for this to be projected upon. He would then easily become frustrated and angry at me, maybe even see me as someone that is hurting him, when my own eyes see myself as the victim. The saying "hurting people hurt others" rings true.

Whenever we push another away, we hurt ourselves. BUT when we become aware of what is happening, we have the responsibility. I needed see and respond only to that caring person inside, not the person that is nasty to me.

I am trying a new way to interact with this person. I listen to him, but try not to let my own ego have the spotlight and speak of myself or my life. He needs an ear, not a prattling voice. I help him in ways that I can, but do not ask for the same in return. When his life is better, I am sure he will do he same.

When the nastiness rises to the surface, I smile and reply politely. If it continues, I walk quietly away. I will no longer be caught up in pointless arguments that will only increase his frustration and anger. I will no longer acknowledge the nasty person, but try to strive to always see the caring person that is currently buried under his own pain.

After nearly a month, I have found myself more at peace within myself. I have had far less pointless arguments and no longer spend hours trying to get the "I was the one who was right" debate silenced in my mind. There is less stress and more healing in my life.

I continue move forward on this path
Looking through a different set of eyes

- ESA

Apology

Like many, I can get short-tempered and snappy at times. This often leads to cross words I later regret, such as what happened yesterday between myself and a dear friend. While stewing over the words traded, I contacted another friend and received an unexpected bit of valuable advice.

This friend said he has a great relationship with his wife because they both learned to apologize to each other. Even when one feels they were not the one in the wrong, there is the realization that at least 20% of the blame falls with all parties in an argument. Sometimes that small 20% can be what leads to the remaining 80% in the fight.

When I read these words, I realized that what had my own back up was that I wanted to stand on the “high ground” of the argument I just had. I wanted to be the person who was “right” and the other would thus be “wrong.” Further, I realized the driving force behind that feeling was simply my ego. So I swallowed my pride and apologized to my dear friend. I didn’t demand or expect an apology in return, nor did I elaborate on “my side” and continue the needless debate. The issue was a petty one in the grand scheme of things, and certainly not worth losing a good friend.

A simple apology
May open the door
That I just slammed shut

- ESA

Ant and Grasshopper (Story)

(c) 2008 - Free to share or copy/paste provided story is not changed and you do not receive any funds in doing so.

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Ant and Grasshopper

Anita Ant and Gabrielle Grasshopper were cousins from the same town. Like many in small towns, they attended the same schools when they were younger, worked at the same place and lived near each other. But the one major difference between these two cousins is what they did with their spare time.

Anita would often walk around the neighborhood, stopping whenever she spied a neighbor out on their front porch or yard, and would wave to them as they went past in their cars. She always had a friendly smile and an open ear for anyone she came across, friend or stranger.

Gabrielle – Gabbie to her friends – spent all her spare time in the electronic world. If she was out for a walk, she had her cell phone to her ear and chatted with someone a great distance away. She also spent a great deal of time chatting with people online from around the world. She had many good friends online, almost more than the entire population in the small town they lived in.

One Monday, Anita saw Gabbie walking past her cubicle on the way to the restroom, she smiled and waved. Gabbie just walked right by obviously caught up in the conversation on her cell phone and she never saw the wave. Anita thought about this a moment and realized it had been weeks now since she actually traded more than two words with her cousin. She knew her cousin wasn’t mad at her or intentionally ignoring her, but was just caught up in her friends outside the town.

At lunch, Anita grabbed her plastic container from the pile of similar containers in the lunchroom fridge. She noted that Gabbie had yet to get her lunch. So she grabbed her cousin’s container and walked it back to her cousin’s cubicle. Gabbie was there, chatting online with three people via IM and holding a fourth conversation with someone on her cell phone. Anita placed the container to one side of the keyboard and patiently waited for her cousin to take a break and say “hi.”

The half hour passed quickly, and Gabbie didn’t even look up. She did nab the container, pulled a plastic fork from her drawer and started to eat, however. At the end of the lunch break, Anita, sighed and hoped that this wasn’t going to be the way her cousin behaved all the time.

As the days of the week passed, Anita realized that Gabbie treated all her co-workers the same way. Anita would take the time to get to know them and exchange news or stories with them during the breaks, but Gabbie was so wrapped up in people elsewhere, she had even stopped smiling and nodding greetings to her coworkers that saw her everyday.

Week by week, Anita realized this was also the case with people in the neighborhood and even when they both attended family gatherings. Gabbie was there physically but mentally she was in cyberspace or deep in conversation with someone miles away. Anita finally decided to bring this to Gabbie’s attention.

One Saturday morning – VERY early in the morning, Anita went over to Gabbie’s apartment and pounded on the door. She could hear a half-asleep Gabbie fumble around inside the apartment. The door swung wide and a disheveled head stuck out. She opened her mouth but only got out a startled “What the – ” before Anita jammed the door open with her foot and shoved a hot cup of coffee into her cousin’s hand.

“We really need to talk, Gabbie.”

Gabbie’s eyes widened in panic. “Someone died?”

Anita smiled. “Not quite, but close. You haven’t talked to anyone around here in almost two months now.”

“Whaddaya mean? I see you at work everyday?”

“See, yes. But we haven’t spoken in ages. You’re always on your cell phone and computer. Heck, girl, I even hear you in the bathroom stall! You really should take a moment and talk to the people around here too.”

“You’ve GOT to be kidding me, Anita! People around here are boring! Heck, we’ve all gone to the same school, had the same teachers, live the same lives. You and I even have the same jobs, for crying out loud! I want to connect with people from different backgrounds, different countries, different lives! The world is too wide to just keep yourself in one small town your whole life.”

“I agree with you there, I do go out online from time to time too. But I don’t sacrifice my life here, my contacts with those in this town. Gabbie, you didn’t even talk to anyone at Jimmy’s birthday party last weekend.”

“I was there, wasn’t I?”

“Yes, but you talked on that cell phone the whole time. You even had the laptop out a good part of the day. Couldn’t you have at least stopped talking on that cell phone long enough to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ with the rest of us?”

“So you’re upset that I didn’t sing???”

“You’re not getting it at all, are you?!?” Anita’s temper flared. “I give up! I tried but I don’t think there’s a way I could get it through your thick skull!” Anita stormed out of her cousin’s apartment.

Gabbie, shrugged, sipped her coffee and opened the laptop to check her email and see who was online. Even at this hour, someone in the world was awake.

Weeks turned to months. Gabbie and Anita’s uncle passed away and willed the duplex he owned to the two girls. Both were thrilled as their rents were rising faster than their paychecks.

When the day came to move, most of the company where they worked and a good part of the neighborhood showed up at Anitia’s apartment early to help her move. With the number of hands and vehicles they had, they were able to haul all her belongings over in one collective convoy and had her settled within three short hours.

As they passed the pizza boxes, beer and soda, they noticed Gabbie pulling up before the duplex. Anita looked around, no one had offered to help her cousin move. She tried to encourage a few of her closer co-workers and neighbors to go out and help, but many offered excuses such as being tired or that they had other plans for the afternoon. Some offered no excuse at all but simply refused to help.

After thanking everyone for their help and encouraging them to eat up the pizza, Anita went out alone to help her cousin with the first of many carloads.

While the two girls were wrestling a mattress onto the car’s roof for the third trip, Anita huffed, “What happened to all the friends you have? Couldn’t any of them help?”

Gabbie laughed and nearly slipped off the curb from where she wrestled with a rope, “Are you kidding? They’re thousands of miles away! They’re not going to come out here just to help me move!”

Anitia looked sadly at her cousin, “Who else is there to help you then?”

Gabbie froze as if the thought had taken hold a moment. Then she shrugged and replied, “Well, I have you, so I guess I can always depend on my family. Right?”

Thus Gabbie didn’t change her ways. The months became years. One day on the way home from work Gabbie was talking on her cell phone and didn’t hear the nearby car out of control. The driver’s side door of Gabbie’s car was completely crushed. Her cell phone flew from her hand, completely destroyed upon impact.

Gabbie woke up in the hospital. No cell phone. No laptop. No visitors.

Doctors and nurses came and went. The administrator said that both her place of work and family had been notified.

Hour by hour the time dragged. The little TV on the wall near the foot of her bed was definitely not as stimulating as being connected to the world had been. She was lonely – very lonely.

Hours turned around the clock once, night was over and day started again. Gabbie jumped a little when the phone rang beside her bed. Anxious to connect to someone – anyone – Gabbie answered the phone, “Hello?”

“Hi, Gabbie, it’s Anitia. I’m so sorry to hear about the accident. I just got the message this morning when I got into work. I’ll swing by after hours today, OK?”

“Is anyone else coming?”

“From here, no. Has anyone else from the family called?”

“No. Nobody since I woke up here yesterday. You’re the first.”

“Oh….. Well, you should see all the virtual cards that are pouring into your inbox. IT had to ramp up the server.”

“Swell…” Gabbie replied sarcastically as she sadly looked around at the empty white walls around her bed. She could see past the curtain all the cards and balloons and flowers her roommate had.

“Well, I need to get back to work, I’ll see you later. Bye….”

“… Bye.” Tears welled up in Gabbie’s eyes. All the friends she had. Where were they? Why hadn’t anyone come yesterday? Why is Anita the only one coming today? Where are her family members? Her co-workers? Her friends from the neighborhood and school? The people she saw everyday?”

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she tugged the curtain between the beds a little to one side and smiled warmly to the stranger on the bed beside her. “Hi, there, my name is Gabbie Grasshopper. What’s yours?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-ESA

Lion & Little Mouse (Story)

One day a little white mouse was scurrying about trying to prepare for the cold dark winter days ahead. She was a tiny thing, even for a mouse, but she had a very big heart. Before making her own preparations, she stopped to help others first. By the time she started her own preparations, there wasn't much left in reach.

The little mouse ranged further and further from the safety of her home looking for what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. On one of these long journeys, she broke through the tall golden autumn grass and found herself practically nose to nose with a lion that had been resting there. Her whiskers quivered in fear and a piercing startled squeak leapt from her throat on its own volition.

Her squeak must have awakened the sleeping lion for he opened his golden eyes and gazed calmly at her. Realizing she had just disturbed the King of all the Animals, the little mouse hunkered down and lowered her round white ears. "I- I'm sorry, Your Great Majesty, for disturbing your rest," she timidly squeaked and quickly turned to scamper off.

The lion's quick paw came down gently but firmly on her little white tail pinning her there, regardless of how fast her paws scrambled against the ground. The poor little mouse was now terrified and she froze in horror with the realization that she was now trapped.

The lion smiled gently and picked the little mouse up by her tail and lightly placed her on his other paw, bringing her closer to his penetrating gaze. Though sunlight sparkled from his own whiskers, the little mouse couldn't peel her eyes from the sharp white teeth that were now clearly visible.

A gentle chuckle rose from the lion's broad chest. "Don't be afraid, little mouse. I am not hungry nor do I toy with you. What brings such a little mouse so far from her home?"

"Oh, please, Your Majesty! I was just preparing for the dark winter days ahead. All the supplies within reach were already gathered near my home so I had to go further out this year seeking what I need. Please just let me go and I'll be on my way. I did not wish to disturb you."

"And why did you not gather what you needed before now, little mouse?"

"I helped some of my friends and neighbors to make sure they were ready for the cold dark winter days ahead. That is why I had a late start. Again, kind Lion, please let me go and I'll be on my way."

"Not so fast, little mouse. Why did you not seek help of your friends and neighbors when you set out to gather your own supplies?"

"I am still young and able. I do not wish to be a burden to anyone as long as I am able to do for myself."

"Ah!" commented the lion. "But now you are far from home and alone. But you are not truly alone; for I am here. I will help you."

"You?!?" squeaked the mouse curling her tiny ears back along her head. "Why would the King of all the Animals want to help a little mouse like me?"

The lion smiled knowingly and lowered the mouse to the ground. "There may be a day when I need your help."

Puzzled the little white mouse tilted her head back to look up at the lion that towered over her; the sunlight danced in his noble mane so very, very far above her. "If there is ever a time when you need my help, I am willing to do so. But you do not need to help me now, Noble Lion."

The lion's smile broadened and his golden eyes sparkled with a secret knowledge. "Even if you believe that now, little mouse, I will help you. It will make your quest easier and you will be ready for the cold dark winter days ahead."

And so the lion helped the little white mouse, lifting her high so she could reach what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. He even carried the little mouse and her supplies back to her home.

"I thank you, friend Lion," squeaked the little mouse from her doorway. "And if you ever need any help that I can provide, I will gladly do so. But I still cannot think HOW a little mouse like myself will be able to help the King of all the Animals."

The lion smiled knowingly and nodded his acceptance of her thanks and timid offer of help. "We shall see what the future holds."

Some days later, the lion was out on patrol. The nearby man's village was growing and pushing the animal’s territory into a smaller and smaller area. It was near sundown on this day, and the construction site had been abandoned by the workers for the day. Curious as to what they were doing to the land that was once lived in by the animals he ruled, he wandered among the buildings and poked his whiskered white tipped nose here and there sniffing.

It wasn't long before his great forepaw came down on a small steel roofing nail. At first it didn't hurt as much, but the more he tried to work it out, the deeper the nail bit into his paw. At last the pain was too great and an agonized roar escaped his throat.

All the animals heard their King's roar of pain. They all ran, scampered and trotted toward the sound. But each and every one of the animals stopped at the edge of construction site. None would dare enter where humans have tread, even to help their King.

The lion by then was in such pain he couldn't walk the distance back to where the animals were. "Please, help me!" begged the lion. "The nail has bitten deep into my paw and I cannot get it out!"

None of the animals moved, but the crowd observing their King's pain grew as more and more animals arrived at the scene.

At last the little white mouse also arrived. She had to weave in and out of all the other animals to see what the commotion was about. When she saw her lion friend hurt in the middle of what man had made, she turned to the other animals. "Can't you see he's in pain? Why has no one gone to help him?"

"Foolish little mouse!" growled the black panther. "That's man's world. Even I will not go there. If that lion decided to enter into man's world, he's on his own. We will not risk own hides to help him."

The little mouse's whiskers quivered in rage. "How can you say that? Isn't he your King as well as mine? I don't care where he is, I'll go over there and help him." With a swish of her long white tail, she scampered over the embankment and entered the construction site.

In a few minutes she was once again before the lion, her sides heaving from the long run. The lion looked down at the little white mouse with pain in his golden eyes and he looked back across the way at all the gathered animals. "Why is it only you who has come to my aide?" he asked.

"They don't want to enter man's world; they're afraid." She looked around herself with wide panicked eyes. "I'm a bit frightened too, but I remembered my promise to you. I'll help if I can. But I'm so little I don't know if my services will do you any good."

"Yes, you can help, little friend." The lion stretched forth the forepaw. "There is a nail in my paw and it hurts something fierce."

The little mouse scurried over the great paw and tilted her white head as she studied the nail. "It's such a little nail. It's actually a bit smaller than I am." She stood up on her hindpaws and gripped the nail with both forepaws. Then she pulled with all her might.

The lion hissed a moment as the nail pulled free and then sighed greatly in relief. "Thank you, little friend. That is much better." He lowered his shoulder to the little mouse. "Get on my back, little mouse. I will carry you home. You have come a great distance to help me."

She gratefully hopped on his shoulder and climbed the rest of the way to his spine where she comfortably settled herself at the base of his golden mane. As she rode back through the construction site, she noted the look of all the gathered animals. They were not happy. Though they did not want to help the lion, they were not happy that she received special treatment because she did. She felt even more timid and her tummy started to flutter. "Friend Lion......" she began hesitantly.

"Yes, little mouse?" answered the lion as he gazed over his shoulder at her.

"Can I ask something of you... I'm very grateful for all your help before and for the ride now, but what I did was such a small thing. Please don't treat me any differently than the other animals."

The lion paused and fixed the little white mouse with his golden gaze. "But you are the one who came out to help me where no one else would go."

"To me it doesn't matter. I'd help you out of friendship, not for a reward. Please, Your Majesty, I'm just a little mouse, shy like all my kind. Don't you see the way the others glare in my direction. I'm not comfortable way up high like this. Just let me be me and free, that is what I desire."

"If you are certain, so shall it be, my little friend."

So once again, the lion carried the little mouse to her home and let her scamper down to her front door. "I shall not forget this, friend, even if everyone else does. Call on me if you ever need help again."

The mouse smiled warmly. "Thank you, friend Lion. And if I can ever help you again, don't hesitate to call on me."

And they were good friends ever since.

- ESA