The Great River Rescue

As everywhere else on earth, Christmastime had also come to the watering hole, not that any of the animals knew this. However, Elephant always felt as if things were a little different this time of the year. The Prickly Pear Boys were quiet, the Pride hadn’t been seen in days and even Brick and Brack seemed to be getting along. There was a general feeling of good will around the watering hole and even if he didn’t understand what had brought it all about, Elephant was glad for a respite from the usual problem solving.

It was the longest day of the year and it was incredibly hot. The whole croc-squad was passed out on a sand bank, so most of the animals stood in the cool water while drinking. Elephant was playing with Brenda’s kids, spraying the little meerkats with water from his trunk, making them squeal and giggle with delight, while Otto and his boys put on a superb display of synchronised swimming to entertain those who were still conscious.

Perry the field mouse came hopping through the grass. Elephant sighed. Of course peace like this could never last.

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On Giving Up

We buried my neighbour today. On Sunday morning he hanged himself in the stairwell of our apartment building. He had a wife, children, grandchildren, many friends and was loved, respected and admired by his colleagues. Recently he became depressed, but refused to get help. He was always friendly when I saw him. We chatted just two days before he killed himself. Continue reading “On Giving Up” →

KokkieH Reviews Rise of the Guardians

I saw Rise of the Guardians today and it’s hands-down the best film I’ve seen so far this year (hopefully to be quickly dethroned when I see The Hobbit in two weeks’ time). Between a highly neurotic and excitable Tooth Fairy, the Sand Man with bull whip skills that put Indy to shame, a burly, tattooed Santa Claus with a sleigh pulled by murderous reindeer and wielding twin cutlasses, and a bad-ass, six foot eight Easter Bunny with twin boomerangs and Easter egg grenades, it’s really tough to say what I like most about this film. Continue reading “KokkieH Reviews Rise of the Guardians“ →

On Doubt

Doubt’s a terrible thing, isn’t it? You have a decision to make. You think about it long and hard. You might even pray. You calculate the cost, seek wise counsel and finally you’re ready to take the plunge. You set things in motion. You pass the point of no return. And then one small, insignificant, possibly completely unrelated thing happens and you’re thinking, what’s the point? Why do I bother? Won’t it just be better to pack up my things and go somewhere else? And suddenly you’re not sure. You wonder whether you had made the right choice. You start second-guessing yourself. Continue reading “On Doubt” →

The Watering Hole Liberation

Elephant topped the rise to see all the other animals gathered around the watering hole. It seemed like there was some kind of commotion at the water’s edge, but elephants have dreadful eyesight, so he could not quite make out what was going on. There certainly was a lot of noise – the wild dogs were yelping, the hyenas were giggling, the wildebeest were grunting, the buffaloes were snorting, the cheetahs were growling and every other animal was making whatever sound they made. Elephant had to trumpet at the top of his voice to make himself heard over this ruckus. ‘Hello, hello, hello. What’s all this? What’s all this?’ he said when they settled down.

The animals at the water’s edge drew back, allowing Elephant to see the Prickly Pear Boys, the savannah’s most notorious troop of baboons, lounging in the shallows.

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