*****All characters appearing in this story are taken from true life. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely intentional. If you can spot yourself amongst the characters, be assured that it is you ****************
Once upon a time there was a Liger. You don't know what a Liger is?
Liger is a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a tigress (Panthera tigris).
Thus, it has parents with the same genus but of different species. But he was no ordinary Liger. Oh what a majestic Liger he was. When he walked all the females turned around to look at him. He was large and powerfully built. The Liger's coat was shiny short and buff yellow, with a tuft on the tail tip darker than the rest of the coat. And his mane ? It was full and shaggy , covering the back of his head, neck and shoulders and continuing into the throat and chest to join a fringe along the belly. His mane and fringe were dark, almost black giving him a majestic appearance.
When he roared, all the animals scrambled around and hid wherever they could.
Being at the top he was very lonely. He had followers but no friends. He would spend hours smoking cigarettes and thinking about his lonely life. What he wanted was a partner. But where could he find a partner who would match up to him ?
So when the Hyena came with a marriage proposal from the lioness living in neighboring forest , he immediately declined. All that she does the whole day is stand in front of the mirror and admire herself , the Liger retorted. No I need someone full of life , who is not afraid of anyone , who everyone looks up in awe.
Who can brighten my days and love me in every way.
"Why don't you marry the sunshine?" the Hyena muttered under his breath before walking away with a bow.
The Liger was about to say something when he looked up. His eyes automatically closed, so bright was the sunshine. He gave a lazy laugh and took out the cigarettes.
He was not able to sleep that night. His mind kept wandering between the neighboring Lioness and the Sunshine.
The next day he decided to propose the Sunshine. For the first time in his life he felt nervous.
"Are you by any chance proposing me " The Sunshine asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Yes ...No ...Yes " stammered the Liger as he extended the flowers towards the Sunshine.
The Sunshine just kept looking at him with a sly smile. He fumbled in his pockets and came up with a ring. "Its a pure platinum ring" , he managed to say.
"So you ARE proposing me !" The Sunshine said with a triumph .
"Though you are kind of cute , I really cannot marry you"
"Cute !" Did she just call him cute ! The Liger could not believe his ears.
"I love my freedom. I love adventure. I love to shine on the highest mountain and make its snow glisten like diamonds. I love to shine through the thick dense forest and bring joy to numerous birds and animals. I love to shine on the dessert soil. So how can I be tied up with you. But as I said you are kind of cute so yes we can be friends"
And this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The Sunshine followed the Liger when he went for hunting , they both sat near the lake and chatted for hours. Not a day went by without them laughing so loud that the entire jungle wondered what the joke was. But come evening , the Sunshine would bid goodbye to the Liger. Many a times the Liger tried to coax the Sunshine to stay back but she was adamant .
One day after playing in the lake for sometime , the Sunshine took the Liger's hand and whispered a goodbye. His heart missed a beat. He caught hold of her tightly. "I must go dear one" she said softly "for my heart yearns for the mountains and valleys". As she tried to slip away from the Liger , he held on to her more tightly. On the spur of the moment he caught her and forced her inside a bottle and quickly tightened the lid.
His eyes had a maniac gleam. "Now you are mine... only mine and I refuse to share you with the world"
He took the jar along with him to his den. For the first time they spent the night together. He in a high chair near the jar and she, sad and teary eyed inside the jar. Next day onwards he carried the jar everywhere he went. But he was not happy. Even though he had the Sunshine with him , it was gloomy and dark. As the days passed by the Sunshine lost all her youth and vitality. She became pale day by day. No amount of coaxing or cajoling helped. Even the Liger's health deteriorated. He no longer roared. He even stopped going outside. The whole day he sat inside his den with his little jar of sunshine trying to make her laugh. Finally he gave up on that also and just sat quietly staring at her.
One day as he sat in his den he saw a colony of ants slowly moving towards the Sunshine. As they were about to climb on top of the Jar , he roared. "How dare you ! Don't you dare to go near my love"
"Your love ? Do you love her? " The leader asked. "Love gives hope, love gives strength, love makes you want to live. But she is about to die and we have come to take her carcasses"
The Liger seemed to be jolted out of his dream. He took one look at the Sunshine and made up his mind. He took a broom kept in the corner and swept off the ants. Then he took the jar outside and opened the lip. With tears in his eyes he bade goodbye to the Sunshine. The Sunshine slowly floated towards the mountains promising to return next year.
Every year as promised the Sunshine returns to the Liger. The Liger waits for this day eagerly throughout the year. They spend time playing in the water , making boats out of the leaf, they cycle down the jungle trail, laughing , chatting and pulling each others leg.
This year too the Sunshine returned. And what did she see ? The Liger was not alone. His wife and three cubs welcomed her warmly. Did she feel a teeny weeny bit of Jealousy ? Yes ! But she was destined to be free , she knew even bounds of love would feel like chains to her. But before saying good bye which she realized was going to be her final goodbye she gave the three cubs a present each. She gave a part of herself to each one in the form of dreams , hope and love without which the world would cease to exist.
Moral/Lessons Learnt :
- The more you try to possess your lover, the more true love will evade you . Give space give freedom.
- You can't always get what you want.
- You can find love everywhere...just keep your eyes open ;)
If you liked this please go ahead and read the other two true stories
Take Care,
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