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Rat and Ox were a funny pair to behold.
Rat came from the big city. Full of life and full of food left behind by the wealth of abundance from the humans. The finest cheese, the tasty nuts, sipping on wine from the finest cellars. His family were in need of nothing, and that which they wanted they had. Luxury and elegance was the world in which he thrived. Life is good for Rat, for life is nothing but plenty. But Rat knew better things were out there, a life full of nuance and adventure. Clever Rat knew better because the books left lying open told him of such adventure. Of great kingdoms and fantastic lands. Of pretty women for clever lads. Surely, this was the life for Rat. A life on which he could enjoy, grow old, and be loved.
Rat and Ox were a funny pair, truth be told
Ox grew up tilling the land. Working hard to provide by tilling the ground, Ox would be sure that nobody would go without warmth, love, and food in her family. A humble setting, but one stoked by the whip of her owner. Driving her to work more and more to provide for the most basic of creature comforts. Life is hard for Ox, and her many siblings with her. But Ox knew better things were out there, a life full of love and acceptance. Dedicated Ox knew better because the world she knew could no be so cruel as to not have real love. Of caring families and a tender hand. Of handsome men for capable gals. Surely, this was the life for Ox. A life on which she could enjoy, grow old, and be loved.
Rat and Ox were a funny pair, brave and bold
When clever Rat met stubborn Ox, he knew he could have it all.
This is one who would take him places,
To give him the adventure he was foretold.
When dedicated Ox met tiny Rat, she knew she could have it all.
Someone to climb up high and see so far,
With vision that she would never behold.
The world was so much larger now,
For both worldly Mouse and pretty Cow.
Together they would face the world
And reap their fortune in love and gold.
Rat and Ox were a funny pair, growing old
Though Rat was good at looking ahead
when he was nimble and full of life.
It was not long before his age
began to turn his fortune to strife
And Ox, when young, was strong enough
to love a family enough for the two
With age her weariness and aching bones
The pain and fatigue began to accrue
Ox no longer could trust Rat to see
The future path they set to climb
And clever Rat, did not trust Ox
To keep him being left behind
Rat and Ox are a lost pair, all they do is fight and scold
"GO towards that mountain!" said Rat "Why are you so slow?"
"There is love there, with nuts a plenty, and grass for you to eat!"
"Where is the mountain!" Said Cow "Why are you so dumb?"
"How many times must I tell you, you must command my feet!"
"I do not know why you cannot walk, we have been doing this for years!"
"I do not know why you cannot talk, it's like you don't have ears!"
"It's there, right there, why can't you see!"
"A place of food a plenty for you and me!"
"Oh just how stupid can you be!"
"It's where, where's there, why don't you know?"
"An Ox can only go to where you show!"
"Oh just how dumb can one Rat grow?"
Rat and Ox are a sad pair, their love has gone cold
Overhead flies Raven,
The sage and all seeing
Curious as to why
All this rage is still seething
He sees the pair
With no love to share
On top of the mountain they are chasing
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I have watched this Rat and Ox do nothing but fight and squabble for many years now. A titan and an oddity of a relationship, for nobody said it would last. The happiness, harmony, and power they wielded together has been shattered by the very thing they build their relationship off of. They both had something to give to each other, and what they gave was good. Their goal has always been that mountain top, the place that was in the books of Rat and in the dreams of Ox...never realizing what is around them. They have accomplished those goals they set, but it did not bring them the happiness they thought. They blame each other for why they are not happy, though they are exactly where they set out to go. They do not know what it means to be happy, and have bought into the lie that "to be happy, one must climb and defeat a mountain", as we are often told in this day and age. "If you aren't #1, then you aren't a winner". Standing on top of their own mountain, they can only see the mountains of others. Be proud of your mountains, be happy with your journey. Don't look to the mountains of others as a journey you must take, but look to the mountain you stand on and how, just by standing on top of it, you make the mountain taller.
First story musings ~ Thank you for your eyes
ShirooKuma
