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Ostrich and the River - a nofollow fable

Once upon a time, Ostrich came to the edge of the River.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich to no one in particular, “but as anyone can plainly see, the River is not made for me to cross.” So Ostrich sulked by the banks of the River, certain he would never get across it. Zebra trotted up to him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Zebra.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich.

“I can teach you how to swim,” offered Zebra.

“No,” said Ostrich, “I’m afraid I’d only drown, flopping around as I do with these wings.” So Ostrich continued to sulk by the banks of the River, certain he would never get across. Turtle crawled up to him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Turtle.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich.

“I can carry you on my back,” offered Turtle.

“No,” said Ostrich, “you’re not that large, and I’m a big klutz, so I’d just fall off.” So Ostrich continued to sulk by the banks of the River, certain he would never get across. Monkey climbed up to him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Monkey.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich.

“Perhaps…I can show you how to swing over,” offered Monkey, if hesitantly.

“No,” said Ostrich, “as you obviously realize, I don’t have much to work with in the swinging department.” So Ostrich continued to sulk by the banks of the River, certain he would never get across. Eagle flew up to him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Eagle.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich.

“Flying is out of the question,” said Eagle.

“Yes,” said Ostrich, “there’s no arguing with you there.” Now extremely despondent, Ostrich continued to sulk by the banks of the River, certain he would never get across. Eventually, Elephant lumbered up to him.

“What’s wrong?” asked Elephant.

“I want to get across the River,” said Ostrich.

“Oh,” exclaimed Elephant. “Is that all?”

“What do you mean ‘is that all’?” Asked Ostrich, “As anyone can plainly see, the River is not exactly made for me to cross.”

Elephant inched up to a broad, tall Tree by the side of the River.

“I can’t do anything about the River,” said Elephant apologetically, “but will this do?” And with a single push Elephant knocked the Tree over and out across the River.

“Yes,” said Ostrich, thankfully “I guess it will.”

“But,” Ostrich added as he used the Tree to walk over the River, “this doesn’t change the fact that the River is not made for me to cross.”

“Idiot,” Elephant said, quietly, so as not to insult Ostrich.

(Images from Barry’s Clipart Server)