Paws For a Change

Note: In the jungle, animals reign but with man encroaching upon animal territory there is going to be a war. But one chimpanzee named Kashimir changes all that. She makes both sides see that fighting solves nothing.

Chapter 1—In the Indian Jungle

For the longest time, the jungle had always been a sacred place, particularly to the animals living there. They had seen human beings coming through by train to travel to other locations without bothering the flora and fauna around them. But with the birth of civilization and the beginning of industrialization the jungle was beginning to disappear.

The animals were learning how to survive but they didn't want to give the jungle up without a fight. In any event, the animals didn't like the humans encroaching upon their territory and some of their elderly bretheren had died because many of their sources for food were not so readily availible. They couldn't get to food as quickly as the younger animals could and often paid the price for it later. Also the machines the humans had crushed everything in their path, leaving desolation and destruction. The once beautiful forest was becoming a twisted reflection of its former self. The animals would no longer sit peacefully and allow their lands to be taken from them. Before the chainsaws and bulldozers would even begin moving, the animals had declaired war upon the humans and the battle had begun.

Chapter 2—Animal Versus Human

The human beings had firepower when the animals had only their claws and teeth to defend themselves. Many animals were being shot and the carnage was horrendous. One chimpanzee, Kashmir, had seen these things come to pass and was filled with sorrow at what was happening. His bretheren had always been so peaceful. They had never wanted to fight before and were not using their minds to settle their dispute against the human beings. Kashimir knew she had to do something immediately before one more life was claimed. She had to speak out. Perhaps the humans might not understand her, but it didn't matter...her bretheren would.

Chapter 3—Stop This Senseless Violence

Kashmir let out a loud hoot to get the attention of those who had been battling. At first, none of them noticed until she screamed with all of her might. It almost took every bit of energy she had to force those who were still alive to listen to her. She began talking to her bretheren and the humans didn't understand her language. But they were awed that just one creature could quell the fighting for a little while. Then one of the more intelligent and observant human realized what Kashmir was doing.

"Don't you see what we are doing here, comrades ? We're not accomplishing anything at all. We're merely destroying these species' habitats. They won't have a home if we continue wrecking everything and ruining these superb surroundings. We have to do this differently. For the animals, for ourselves and for the future.", a worker said, wisely.

He had taken careful thought with his words, but it had been enough to make the others stop and ponder for a bit. If they continued on their path, there would more than likely be nothing left of the Indian jungle whatsoever. Where would the animals go ? More than likely, they would have to try to find a way to scavange for food or die from starvation. Scavaging for these animals went against their better nature. Something, inevitably had to be done before matters became worse. When trees were cut down, new ones would be planeted in their place and the killing of course, had come to an end. Anger had not been the solution to the problem, but rather, peace and harmony. The destruction that had already occurred would take some time to repair and renew itself but the sprouts of new growth and development could already be seen. From now on the humans would have more respect for the animals and nature around them and would find alterior ways of advancing civilization. They could do so without endangering any animals. The forest would remain unharmed, all thanks to the sage wisdom of Kashmir.

Chapter 4—Kashmir's Legacy

Though man had expanded in other areas, the rainforest had remained untouched. Man had found alternate ways to make the supplies they needed. As for Kashmir, she had paired off with one of the chimpanzees in the forest and had been able to start a family of her own. Although it wasn't common for female chimpanzees to be leaders of a group, Kashmir had proven herself in the past. She now had children of her own and a jungle to oversee. Although she was young, she had already become a Queen of her domain in a relatively short amount of time. Her children would one day be heirs to a kingdom that spanned such an extensive environment. She knew the world they were going into would be even brighter than the one she had put into motion.

Epilogue

Albeit there were still human beings that weren't so accepting of change and non-violence there were still large numbers who had listened to the worker's advice long ago. Since this time, the Indian jungles have remained pristine, untouched by man. There had been no trace of destruction, save for the natural passing of time and old things dying and passing into the next world while the young things took their place. It was just the cycle of the natural world but this was the unspoken truth all creatures knew, especially human beings. This is why the environment was being protected and it would be helping future generations learn about the beauty of nature as well as how to live in conjunction with it.

Someday perhaps they could learn what herbs cured what ills since it was ancient knowledge but maybe the rainforest would hold the key. Only the future scientists knew the answer to this inquiry but they would always respect the nature around them and the gorgeous land that was going to be theirs someday. It was quite an honor and a responsibility to have and they would handle it to the best of their abilty. Whatever happened, symbiosis between animal and human was possible now because both relied from each other...realizing they were both emphemeral creatures, needing one another to survive in the brave new world that was coming about.

The End

March 16, 2006