In boxing as in other sports, there is always a return match between two boxers. The one who romped his opponent to victory might be the vanquished if care is not taken. That is why adequate preparation is key for every player on the stage of life.
The one who bled yesterday might end up bleeding his opponent. Life never remains the same. Things keep changing and people shouldn’t remain the same. The victory of yesterday makes no one an all-time winner. There is an open room for one to keep winning.
There was another meeting. Yeah, another encounter in the tropical region of Uguru between wolves and sheep. There was a forest full of wild animals near a river. The river served the needs of animals, wild and mild. It served the needs of the natives, too. Wild animals visited the river to drink water but were cautious because fully armed humans visited the river to fetch water, wash their clothes and have their bath in its different parts.
In a sunny morning, Boss and the rest of the pack were famished. They didn’t know what to do. Bara suggested they visit the river where they devoured sheep the other day. They might be so lucky this second time. Everyone leaped at the suggestion. They all stood up from their resting position and started going. True to the suggestion of Bara, the sheep had gathered at the river to drink some water. The wolves were all excited. Boss, however, sounded a note of warning.
“Let’s be cautions! Human beings might be with them this time round,” warned Boss.
“We need not be cautious in this affair, Boss. We are wolves! We are strong and powerful. Even lions are afraid of us,” shouted Boma, one of the pack.
“We will crush everyone standing on our way. Haven’t we crushed human bones before? Besides, there is no human being in sight, my people. We are good to go except we don’t want to eat this morning,” expressed Bara.
“Let’s go there!” declared Boma.
“Let’s be cautious, my people. I don’t know what the matter is but I have the premonition of disaster befalling this pack,” said Boss.
“Nothing will happen to us, Boss. Your premonition was due to the attack and loss we suffered from humans three days ago. Come off it! There is no cause for alarm. We need to eat to live,” shouted Kinku.
“Okay! Let’s go!” said Boss succumbing to pressure.
On their part, the sheep were very cautions, looking everywhere while drinking water from the river.
“Don’t be afraid, my people. We will crush them this time round. Be bold! Be courageous! They are animals like us. Yes, we can destroy them. Victory is a thing of the heart translated into act. Be strong! The wolves you see today, you shall see no more,” encouraged Agi, leader of the fold. She seemed to have the heart of a lion now.
“Yes! We can destroy them,” shouted Kora.
“Victory is ours now and ever,” supported one of the fold.
“There they are, my people. Fight them to the finish. Deliver yourselves from their fangs now and ever,” declared Agi as the fold was battle ready to face its enemies. The wolves were fearful in the first place, wondering where the sheep got their courage. They rushed at the fold. The fold rushed at them, too. The stage was set for a great battle – worst battle in the history of wolves and sheep. The wolves were badly wounded, though the sheep too bled. However, none of the sheep died. Three of the wolves dropped dead as missiles from nowhere hit them. The rest of the pack retreated in different directions, showing they had surrendered. They bled a lot. Only Bara and Boss saw each other.
Panting, “What really happened?” asked Bara
“I can’t tell,” answered Boss.
“I think human beings hid in the bush and shot at us from there,” said Bara.
“I think so. Three wolves dropped dead in the fight. What teeth have the sheep to tear us? Human beings followed them closely behind. I warned you all,” said Boss.
“If I had known, I would have…,” regretted Bara.
“But I still don’t know where those sheep got their strength. They were not bold before. We all know most sheep are cowards. This, I think, will teach all of us a lesson not to underestimate the potential of our opponents. They fought us to the finish. Even without missiles released among us by humans, those creatures could have romped us to victory. Truly, courage starts from the heart. We were predators in the first encounter. We put them to flight. But today, we are the preys, the sheep are the predators. They put us to flight. They resisted us. They deflated our ego. Nay, they trampled upon us. Our feet wobbled as we ran for dear life. We have become a laughing stock to all and sundry. Never has it been recorded in history that wolves were defeated by sheep. Today, those sheep made history,” said Boss as he gave up the ghost while Bara cried profusely alone in the forest.
On their own side, the sheep were super excited. They were all grateful to the human who gave them support.
Agi was praised by the fold for giving them that kind of rare courage. They never knew they could defeat wolves. They were cowardly before. But the inspiration and motivation given by Agi woke the sleeping giants in them.
“Thank you very much, leader of leaders!” said one of the sheep on behalf of the fold. The two men present helped the two animals wounded in the encounter by carrying them on their auto-rickshaw hidden in the forest. The sheep trod their way home behind the auto-rickshaw with pride written all over them.
Such is life! Things change. People change. Seasons Change. Old ways of doing things disappear for the new normal to be established. Wolves may not always be wolves and sheep may not always be sheep. However, sheep should beware of wolves and wolves shouldn’t underestimate the power and potential of sheep. This world is full of WOLVES and SHEEP. Isn’t it?