STORIES

the clumsy walrus waddled proudly
towards the swimming pool
in his square enclosure at the city zoo
time was slow
and days were long and lazy
for life was simple here most every day
today was different though
he felt restless
as he lay in the sun and closed his eyes
he dreamed of something more
he dreamed of jungles and rivers and oceans and lakes
and waterfalls and long, sprawling beaches
of the softest sand
suddenly
he awoke
for he was being rolled over unto a sling
and carried out of his familiar glassed-in dwelling
this was new and frightening to his young heart
he heard new voices and sounds and tried to make out
what the people were saying
"how much will you part with him for?"
a man with a strong voice was saying
another man with a rough voice responded with a sum
too high for the walrus to understand clearly
"okay, it's a deal . . .
but I want to take him today"
the first man replied without compromise in his voice
"that won't be possible, sir
we don't do that . . . it doesn't work that way . . ."
the second countered
their voices hushed for a moment as they bargained
back and forth
before it sounded as if something was decided
the walrus didn't know what was happening now
he was being moved by some sort of machine
into a vehicle of some sort
18 hours later
he awoke
to the the sound of rushing water
where was he?
he knew he had been snoring
and felt rather embarrassed
so tried to pretend he was still asleep
although soon his curiosity got the best of him
he started to explore the new place
slowly and cautiously
suddenly, he heard the same kind voice he had heard
earlier that day
and two gentle hands stroked his head
"now here's the real water
let me teach you to swim
easy"
the man and three assistants
slid the walrus
into the clear water
this was nothing like the zoo
the walrus began to hate the man and think
he was too demanding
to "command" him to swim when he didn't really know how
was he trying to make the walrus look stupid or something?
was this a joke?
each time the man and his assistants
lowered the animal into the water
the dumb walrus went limp and started to sink
why didn't he want to learn something new?
did he want to stay by a swimming pool
and be confined to a boxed-in world his entire life?
the people tried for weeks
to get the walrus to adjust to his new, natural surroundings
but to no avail
they tried in the heat of the sun
they tried in the rain
they tried at night
they tried during a windy storm
they tried and they tried
but nothing worked
"what is wrong with you?"
the exhausted man asked with a soft scold
wanting only the best for the walrus
he tried once more
but the walrus almost drowned this time
for the men were too tired to grab the ropes
just quickly enough
"all right
you have your way for yourself
you've had your chance"
the man returned to the zoo
obstinate walrus in tow
and gave him back without an explanation
to the confused keeper
"but your money?
don't you want it back
now that you've returned the animal to us?"
the keeper asked him with compassion for whatever
had happened
"no"
the man simply responded
then began to walk away
after no more than a dozen steps he stopped and turned back
but not out of hesitation
the zoo keeper studied the man's weathered face
and looked deep into his grief-filled eyes
and still wondered that he did not want the money refunded
as he waited in silence for the man to speak some word of explanation
for he knew there was more to know
finally
the man broke the quiet
wearily saying
"I bought his freedom and this is what he wanted.
 I'm not retracting my gift."


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