Being a vegetarian, I have mixed feelings about zoos. Without wasting a lot of your time, let me just say one thing. I find it difficult to see animals behind cages. Granted, I have not seen 90% of these creatures in the wild, but I feel like there is something that is robbed from an animal that is not free to run. Take the lion, for example. We think of the lion as a beast that rules over other beasts. The "king" of the jungle. We have probably all watched National Geographic when a lion hunts down and kills a fleeing gazelle. To see the same power behind a chain link fence, confined to what is basically a jungle gym, takes some of the awe away from an animal so powerful.
But this story is not about a lion. It is about a tiger and a goose.
At the beginning of our zoo trip, Lucas spotted a bengal tiger across the lake at the entrance. We started in a different direction all the while listening to Lucas explain that he wanted to see the tiger. "We'll see the tiger in a little while, buddy," was not the correct response. However, he got over this by the time we made it to the reptile exhibit. An hour or so later we got to see the tigers.
If you have been to a zoo, then you know that the most interesting thing you will usually see a tiger do is sleep. I have cats and that is how they spend the majority of their time as well. The Gulf Shores zoo has a total of six tigers and they were all apparently exhausted from a long day.
What caught my attention happened when I noticed a tiger pacing along his fence, which is not unusual. But what was unusual was just outside the fence. There was a small white rabbit, enjoying a delicious vegetarian meal, and two white geese. The geese were clearly working on their tan because they were nestled into the grass. I thought to myself, "Wow! If I were a goose, the last place I would pick to take a relaxing nap would be next to the bengal tiger cage." But, there they were.
I watched them for a little while. Took a couple photographs. Held Lucas up so he could see one of the tigers relaxing in some water. Then, as we were heading to the next exhibit, Lucas noticed the rabbit. Of course he wanted a closer look so we walked that direction. The rabbit, upon seeing the 3-year-old coming at him, darted in a different direction which caused the geese to also relocate. All of the excitement was too much for the tiger who began to pace about, watching the other animals intensely. That's when it happened. One of the geese turned around, rushed at the tiger, and let out a menacing hiss. That's right, the goose hissed at the tiger, and then went about its business. I was stunned.
It's funny how captivity changes an animal. But to do something so outside of what I thought would be instict was rather odd. What I find more odd is my reaction to the event. See, I've been thinking about it and I can't decide if I am more like the goose or the tiger.
First, take the goose. Here is an animal that should fear the tiger. The goose is lunch, after all. Yet, at the sight of something that the goose fears locked behind a fence, it is suddenly filled with courage. Strength. Power.
Then, there is the tiger. The tiger should be in charge here. The goose probably would not have even seen the tiger until it was too late. The tiger is the predator. And still, as I watched this goose taunt such a powerful creature, the tiger was powerless to do anything. So an animal that the tiger would normally strike fear into now jests at the tiger.
I have to admit, most of the time I feel like that tiger. I feel like I should be in total control of my surroundings. But sometimes the little things that I should not even bat an eye at rear their head and challenge me anyhow. And I feel powerless. I feel trapped behind chain links wishing to strike at what threatens me. But instead I just end up taking a long nap while people stop in for a minute and then head to the next exhibit.
But, since I am being honest here, the mere fact that my fingers keep typing is proof that I am trying to change that. I have recently set a large goal in front of myself. First I told my wife about it, to make sure I wasn't totally crazy. Then I talked with a few of my close friends. Then I started telling everyone who asked. Now I can't back out of it, even though I sometimes want to. I set this goal bacause I'm scared that I can't do it.
The point is, sometimes we have to do what scares us the most. We can't be afraid of mistakes and we can't be afraid to fail. Besides, if there is not a risk of failure then it is probably not worth doing. I sincerely do not feel capable of accomplishing my goal. However, since I intend on achieving success then I also intend to stare certain death in the face, pull back my shoulders, and charge.
