Of Ropes and Branches

Well, that wasn’t supposed to happen. You know, the whole falling part. Guess I’ll just have to add that to my never-ending list of failures.

Oh don’t worry – it wasn’t like, high or anything. I’m perfectly fine. Fantastic, actually. Only two and a half feet. And the landing was kinda comfy to be honest. Lots of twigs. Leaves. A couple branches. Of course, one of these branches was particularly sharp and had its way with my shin. Blood and stuff. Hurray.

Anyways, here I am; lying on my side, fetal position, gasping for air, colour slowly seeping back into my vision. Little good that did though. My glasses had fallen off. Probably broken. Why, aren’t I just a marvel. Couldn’t even pick the right branch. Who knows, maybe the entire tree was a dud. Wouldn’t be surprised.

And my neck’s sore. How peachy. I just love rope burn. Really. I do.

At least my knot hadn’t completely failed. You see, I practiced. Every day for thirteen days. Ha. Thirteen. Had that been my error you ask. Don’t be stupid. Just another pathetic superstition you people don’t actually take seriously, and yet you kinda do anyways.

You know what else is nothing but a dumb superstition? “Practice makes perfect”. Ha. Ha. Living (to some extent) proof right here. Myth. Busted. No matter how much, how long, how often you practice, there will be always, always be something to screw it all over.

I should probably get up. My parents used to tell me that all the time. “Get up! You’ll be late!” they’d yell.

Used to.

But I don’t feel like getting up yet. No, I’ll scout these trees in advance. Mark my next target before putting in the effort to stand up. Efficiency. Gotta love it.

Hmm… you thinking what I’m thinking? That willow, right over there, next to the stream – looks perfect. Doesn’t it?

If at first you don’t succeed – what the hell is that?

It’s a goddamn bunny rabbit. A hare. You know, the furry things with the floppy ears and stupid looking faces. This one’s just a tiny little squirt, but boy, was he ever booking it! Puny little limbs flailing about, shaking his pompom tail like some sort of crazed middle school cheerleader. Oh little bunny, why the panic?

Oh. That’s why.

It’s one of those orange doggy things. Fox. Nose close to the ground. Pursuing. This guy’s much more graceful.

Will you make it little bunny? I doubt it.

Yup, there it is – the slip up. A full-on summersault with a three hundred sixty degree twist. Good bye little bun –

…Or not. He’s still going. Faster.

Another trip, another fall. Another recovery. Faster!

This lump of fluff… I don’t understand! Even the fox seems amazed.

Incoming root! Jump little bunny! Likeyour life depends on it!

I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed anything so glorious my entire life. Stubby arms fully extended, ears completely flattened – who knew these mounds of fuzz could be so aerodynamic? Sketchy landing, but yet again, this little guy recovers, never looking back, never giving up, pulling through every trip, every fall, a stronger bunny than the one that fell.

…Why can’t I do that?

The poor thing is approaching the stream now. Nowhere to go. Unless –

My god. He’s going in.

Plop!

I’m… laughing. Me! Laughing!How long has it been? Weeks, months, years? I’m actually laughing! The fox, sniffing the water, utterly confused –

Now I’m crying too! But not from sadness, grief, no no, I just can’t. STOP. LAUGHING!

Yes yes, chances are little Usain Bolt of Fur did not survive – but that’s not the point. That’s not the point at all.

You know that one superstition? Something about quitters and how they never win? False, of course. But, like all lies, there’s some truth to it.

You see, I don’t care about winning. Never have. Doubt I ever will. But I must say… there’s something to be said about watching those who seek nothing but to make you quit… fail. Miserably.

I think it’s time for me to get up now.

On to the next tree.

I won’t get any better at tightrope by just sitting here.