THE RABBIT AND THE SWAN

Vibhu was unlike any other rabbit in Rabbit-town. He could jump higher, run faster and turn course in the blink of an eye. Because of his legendary exploits, he was called ‘Rambo’ by all in the rabbit community. He once outmaneuvered the angry eagle, Poseidon, who was hoping to making a meal of him, and instead sent him crashing onto a boulder. Despite his large muscular build, Rambo was unusually dexterous, and foxes, wolves, and coyotes knew from experience to avoid trying to catch him. He was a hero in Rabbit-town with adolescents idolizing him and does fawning over him. During rare moments of sanity, he would acknowledge that it was perhaps the ancient everlasting Spirit of the Forest that made him great, but for the most part, the exuberance of his prowess stilled any such notions. Life was good!

It was the onset of winter and as was customary, the migratory swan pack stopped over at Rabbit-town. Sophia had led this pack for the last ten years and remembered Vibhu from her last visit. 

“You have grown big and strong,” she remarked, flapping her wings as she settled down.

“Not only so, Sophia; I have become a legend, they call me Rambo.” Vibhu told her of all his accomplishments and he could see that she was impressed.

“But I want to do more. I have conquered the land. Now I want to fly!”

“But you are a rabbit! You have already become one of the greatest rabbits ever to have lived in Rabbit-town. The Spirit of the Forest has not meant for you to fly. You can be quite happy with what you have become so far.” Sophia had concern in her eyes.

“But what if I could acknowledge the Spirit of the Forest in all this? Would it not then be right, Sophia?” Vibhu insisted. 

“I rather think it is the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that makes you say it. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” 

But Vibhu had made up his mind, “All I want you to do for me is to let me hold on to your legs while you fly from one edge of Rabbit-town to the other.”

Reluctantly Sophia agreed and the following morning, all of Rabbit-town had gathered to watch the first-time spectacle of the flying rabbit. History was in the making.

Sophia gave instructions, “make sure you hold on tight with both your arms, and don’t let go.”

And off they went, rising above the trees and soaring through the skies. Rambo did not realize how strong gravity was and the effort he had to put in with both his arms was substantial. As he looked down, he saw the adoring fans taking pictures with their cell phones and waving to him. A dreadful thought then crossed his mind, 

“What if the pictures show me clinging on for dear life? That would hardly be the Rambo image that Rabbit-town had known. Perhaps just for a moment I can wave back to them, while holding on with one hand.”

He lets go of his right hand to wave at them, and instantaneously loses grip on Sophia’s feet and comes crashing down to earth. Sophia recognizes what just happened, and in a move that defied all aerodynamics, makes a somersault turn, folds her wings to give her unbelievable velocity and comes back swooping down to the ground, hoping to cushion her body between her friend and that of the earth, as the wickedness of vanity and gravity collude to hurtle Vibhu down. Rabbit-town and rest of the swan pack watch horrified at this turn, but it’s all over within a few seconds. In an irony of fate, Vibhu was so preoccupied with waving to his friends down below, that when he lost grip, instead of spreading his body out and slowing his fall, he continued to wave, increasing his acceleration. Sophia swoops down and inches away from the ground, there is the sound of flesh pounding flesh and earth.

The crowd arrives as Sophia who has scraped the ground for a landing, turns the lifeless body of Rambo over. 

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