“Nearly all men can stand adversity,
but if you want to test a man’s character,
give him power.” – Abraham Lincoln
∞∞∞
the 1st of ten nominees
for 2017 Song of the Year
To Leave Something Behind by Sean Rowe
∞∞∞
You must not fight too often with one enemy,
or you will teach him all your art of war.
– Napoleon Bonaparte
LIKE MAN
written & edited by Kendall F. Person
In the remote and untamed Katavi National Forest in Tanzania, the infamous dry season does not simply refer to its lack of rain, but its shortage of water. The rivers that flow in abundance during the rainy season, like drunken patrons after hours, have their source cut off from the sky as well as the mountain waterfalls and lakes. As the searing heat penetrates the scorched land, water becomes a precious commodity, and the wild animals that are generally use to wide open plains, are reduced to patronizing the same watering holes, eventually stressing all but the fittest inhabitants, until they break.
Even in times of plenty, the Hippopotamus is one of nature’s most aggressive and dangerous animals, but they are also the most sensitive, as the hippopotamus are prone to dehydration faster than any other mammal, having the need to keep their entire 3000 pound body completely submerged in water, during the hottest times of the day. As the dry season lingers, water sources in some regions dry up completely, forcing a mass migration of animals – hunters and grazers – by air, land and dwindling river streams.
Cape Buffalo and elephants, the other mammoth herbivores, bulldoze their way to the waters, not meaning to make a ruckus, but frankly, not giving a damn if they do. Crocodiles, the only survivor of the dinosaur age swarm in large numbers, patrolling the water, with lion prides blocking all the exits on land. As the heat intensifies, and as water sources disappear, and as the number of animals invading their space skyrockets, it is the hippos that become the most intense.
Hippos tend to huddle among each other, delivering, quite convincingly, the allusion of civility and uniformity. But even the allusion is a precarious one at best, and can be broken by the same straw that men use in breaking the camels back. As the water level lowers, and the temperatures soar, everything becomes an annoyance – a bump, a jump or the slightest breeze, all a wild card, as to which the straw will be. And once the calm is broken, the aggressive 3000 pound hippo explodes, setting off a calamitous chain reaction, usually leaving the young and the weak, wounded or dead.
So truth be told, with all of the hazards and trap doors that the dry season brings – be it the ruthless sun or the circling carnivores or the encroachment of the poachers – the number one killer of the hippo, are other hippos…. like man.
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My mind focus on the shortage of water.
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Funny; we were just discussing hippos last night (my son wanted to know which would win if a lion and hippo got in a fight). I didn’t know they were 3,000 lbs. Guess I’ll be betting on the hippo. Thanks so much for the cool info!
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pls could You teach me How to improve my blog
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Pingback: Like Man | Ian's Journal
An observance most of us would not have the opportunity to make, and as Tammi said, a great analogy. I would add to it that as we continue to abuse the natural world, we will become as these animals, trying to escape somehow, but having no good options.
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Thank you for adding your voice to this forum and your wisdom as well. I am especially glad that the analogy was not lost and in fact was food for thought. Welcome to The Neighborhood. So glad you made it.
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Thank you for your thoughtful and important blog. I appreciate that you started following my blog, especially since I just blogged about water conservation in California, USA. I just shared your blog with the founder of Wholly H20 and my Facebook friends.
Your work looks intriguing. I will explore here more and I will put it as a post I like in my blog (as soon as I can figure out how to do that again).
Peace to you.
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Nina – Thank you for your kind, supportive words and for sharing The Neighborhood throughout your communities. Always nice to say hello to a new neighbor from my state. Welcome to The Neighborhood. So glad you made it.
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I’m having trouble listening to soundcloud. I’ve updated my adobeplayer, firefox. But it still plays a few seconds at a time. Loving what I have heard so far of The Hussel Crowe story. Any suggestions?
Man’s best friend is not man. 😦
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Try using Chrome. And Hussle Crowe is a The Neighborhood favorite indie artist. Glad you enjoy him as well.
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Problem solved. Hussle Crowe is so talented! Love his music. 🙂
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Reblogged this on meanlittleboy2.
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Have you ever seen a Pygmy hippo???? The are just the coolest ever. I wonder if they have the same issues, only smaller….
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TY for tweeting me this. All animals fascinate me, but the hippo, despite their size always seemed quite gentle to me for some reason, but they can be nasty. I can’t imagine being chased by those 3000 lbs. What an amazing article. I learned something new today. 🙂
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Lisa – The pleasure is mine. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You are appreciated so much. – KP
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That goes both ways Kendall – thanks for your kindness.
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That’s wild that the #1 killer of hippos is other hippos.
-john
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John – Thank you for adding your voice to this forum, always good to hear from a long term neighbor and good friend. – KP
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waiting for Sep 15 {Big Smile} 😉
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Kalpesh – hahaha…you beat me to it. But here you go anyway {big smile}. – KP
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Can’t wait to see your video. It looks interesting from the clip! Kendall, you are interested in such a side variety of things and multi-talented.
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It is my favorite part of the day to see inspiration and good cheer flowing in a circle, like it should be. I often say, and the words are always true, it is words like yours from people like you that inspiring me to to do more. To try harder. Always good to see you, Hollis. – KP
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Thank you!
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Very interesting – thanks for the lesson, and it is a great analogy.
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Tammi – So very glad you enjoyed the show. It appears, you,like me, can learn a lesson in most everything. Welcome to The Neighborhood. So glad you are here.
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