It was Mary Lambert who said: “I only know how to exist when I’m wanted" and when the Bear woke that morning, the quote had been etched onto his heart.
It was all he could think about the whole day while he went about his chores. His cleaning, his gardening and his grocery walk.
He almost tripped when the Rabbit tapped his shoulder and asked him if he’d like to join him for a game of chess.
It was silly to think that a game of chess could save the Bear’s life but afterwards, he really felt it did. When he left the Rabbit’s home, his belly full of ginger biscuits, his mind was occupied by the quote oncemore. But for that brief half-hour of bliss, it hadn’t been. At the Rabbit’s house, the Bear had forgotten all about the quote. In fact, it didn’t even matter. He decided to thank the Rabbit for this spontaneous act of kindness. It had saved his life.
Back at his house, the Rabbit had his own troubles on his mind. The Fox had not called him back. He was sure that the Fox had a new, fancy answering machine but he had still not called him back. The Rabbit did everything go distract himself. He practised gratitude, cooked Mac & Cheese, played chess with the Bear. Nothing was working. So he began to dig a hole in the ground.
He had dug it 4 feet deep when the Bear approached, looking puzzled at the sight before him. He told the Rabbit he’d come to tell him what a lovely time he’d had playing chess, and to ask if they could do it again soon sometime. Upon hearing this, the Rabbit suddenly began to cry. He thanked the Bear for coming over, for he was sure he’d lose his mind and bury himself. The Bear seemed even more puzzled by this outburst but gently lent a hand to the Rabbit, to pull him out of the grave he was digging.
Once out, both animals sat down in the front yard and looked out at the sunset. Do you think we think too much? asked the Bear to the Rabbit. The Rabbit was quiet for a moment before replying: I wouldn’t think so much if the Fox was my friend. I really want to kill him. I want to kill everyone who doesn’t love me enough to save me. The Rabbit suddenly looked at his feet in shame that he’d gone too far by saying this. To his surprise, the Bear simply nodded in understanding and said: I think I wouldn’t obsess over the silly quote so much if my life wasn’t so empty. If I wasn’t filled with so much shame and longing. The Rabbit looked solemnly at the Bear before whispering: It seems we may have saved each other today. Maybe tomorrow we can save each other again.
The Bear smiled at the Rabbit. Maybe tomorrow, we will learn to live. And if not, we can play chess together again.
It’s funny how five-minute stories appear out of thin air when you need them least. But Black Holes must eat too, right? If you are finished offering up yourself, offer your stories. Maybe you’re all eaten up already… yelling out stories from the belly of the Hole.
