The Story of Spotted Zebra
A long time ago, in the forests of Africa, there lived a spotted Zebra who had heard of a wide, flat land called the savanna. He heard that it was like a blanket of luscious, green grass. He heard that the trees were like giant umbrellas, shading yards of space. He decided to set out on his quest to the savanna.
An orangutan had told the zebra that the savanna was toward the setting sun. So Zebra set out the next morning, towards the opposite direction of the rising sun. By late afternoon, he was exhausted. Just then, a black and white striped giraffe saw spotted Zebra and offered a place to stay. The giraffe stared at Zebra’s spots and said, “Every giraffe must admire your spots.” “And every zebra must admire your stripes,” said Giraffe. With those words, a beautiful canary came fluttering by, perched on a willow branch and said, “And every animal must admire your peace. Now close your eyes Zebra and wish for the stripes, and Giraffe, wish for the spots.” Suddenly a soft, whispering breeze blew, and rain droplets swirled in spinning patterns around the giraffe and zebra. “And now,” said canary, “Open your eyes.” With those words, the zebra found Giraffe’s stripes upon him and looked at Giraffe, who wore brown spots and smiled. He turned to thank the canary, but the beautiful golden bird that gave them what they wished for because of friendship, had vanished.
The next day, in the afternoon, Zebra set out for the savanna with a load of food on his back from Giraffe, and his beautiful stripes. Night fell and Zebra wanted to continue with his journey, but he couldn’t see and his eyes had been poked from rose thorns. A fruit bat came upon him and said, “I see that you can’t see. If you spare me five papayas of red and yellow, I will help you. But first you must tell me why you have come all this way from the forest.” The Zebra replied, “I have come to seek the huge flat plains of luscious green grass as far as the eye can see. Where the trees can shade four elephants at a time.” “Ah, the savanna.” Remarked the bat. “Follow the sound of the rustling leaves, and I will tell you what awaits the seeker of grass. I now give you the name, Nose of a badger. Use the nose to smell danger and safety. Listen carefully, or you won’t complete your journey.” Zebra listened carefully to the bat’s instructions.
“It will take you five days to finish your search. On the first day, you must find the first papaya in the rocky mountains where an ebony colored mountain goat will lead you to it. The second day, you will search in the misty jungle where you will meet a spider monkey who will help you find the second papaya. The third day, you will travel to the sandy beach where a bright orange crab will lead you to the third papaya. The fourth day, you must journey to the dry desert where an armadillo will show you the fourth papaya. He will spare lots of water for your journey back. Sleep in the desert and travel to this same spot in the morning and give me the papayas, and when you return I will help you see.” With that, the bat flew away. Zebra rested and began his journey the next morning.
Returning on the sixth day, to the same spot, the bat said, “You have completed your journey. I now name you, Eyes of a hawk.” Zebra looked around, and everywhere he looked, everything was visible again. He thanked the bat and went on his way. Traveling along the rocky path, Zebra met a chameleon who couldn’t eat or talk because he lost his tongue. Feeling emotional, Zebra named it, Tongue of a giraffe, and went on his way. Soon he met a cricket who lost the strength in his legs. Again Zebra felt emotional, and again he gave a name. He named the cricket, Legs of a kangaroo. The cricket was grateful, and hopped away.
Zebra couldn’t go much longer. He was out of food and water, and he was exhausted. He stumbled and was about to give up, when a handsome toucan said, “You’ve reached the savanna, you’ve reached the savanna.” Zebra crawled into a clearing and discovered that he had finally completed his journey. All of Zebra’s decedents lived happily in the savanna and they all wore black and white stripes.
Wood, Wondering
Nov. 6, 2008
