tales of a hyena

She had stopped, looked down at square one which she was back standing in, took in her life behind her and purred thoughtfully. This wayward hyena had lived a thousand lives and felt more than just the ground below her glorious paws. Just like a satellite, she floated around from place to place, from animal to animal, writing cheques and breakin' necks. In this seemingly scattered but sublimely happy feline existence, she was anchored by a select few. As far as she flung herself into the wilderness, at any given time she could be coaxed back to reality by these ones, like keys to her little hyena heart.

She'd be happy to talk to you and you and you. At the watering hole, she was the darling of the reeds. She'd climb to the top of the boab tree to fetch you a nesting treat at sunset. She ran and squealed and had all the fun that came along. To say she was curious would be an understatement. As much love as this hyena had in her life, she realised she was very lonely. She gave her energy to so many she held in high regard but began to feel they used her. Minus the anchors, she began to feel bitter towards most faces she met and places she kept.

The hyena was friends with the honey bee. She wished with all her hyena heart that she could fly away with the honey bee. He was her friend, he seemed strong and he went where ever his wings would take him. Although he was strong, and was able to carry much more than his own body weight, he couldn't carry a whole hyena. All alone, she wept at night and couldn't sleep for the stars; they were so bright and happy, she felt they mocked her. The honey bee was always in her heart and her in his but the hyena would have to find her own path. 

There was a big bear who tried to comfort the hyena. He seemed to be able to do lots of amazing things. He was strong and loud and was fun when he made a scene. He was warm and shared his food with the hyena. As much as the hyena found comfort and shelter in the beautiful bear, he wasn't filling her heart with the kind of joy she lacked. So she concluded that the Bear & she would always be friends, but farewelled him on his impending adventures to other lands and she went and slept under an oak tree, wishing she could find her anchors again. The ones who owned her heart, who made her safe and happy. Before her best friend, the honey bee returned from his adventures, a nasty cheetah crept through the long grass and scoped her out. She slept peacefully until the cheetah pounced and ripped open her neck. The hyena never recovered, the honey bee didn't know what had happened to her until he flew past the oak tree and saw her strung up by the neck. Those cheetahs sure know how to get creative with long grass. The honey bee flew away - so distraught that he plunged head first into her favourite watering whole and drowned himself. and the bear was never heard from again.

the end.