So today has been Mr. Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 1805. He was indeed a noble Dane, and was widely appreciated in Denmark, not to mention the world.
‘The Ugly Duckling’ tells of a mother duck’s disappointment in having a homely son. On the plus side, it turns out the Duckling is a misplaced Swan. Happy Ending.
Mr. Andersen was a fine fellow, but he was something of an ugly duckling himself (though it’s hard to tell with our Rhino model pretending to be Mr. A.)
Even for Us Rhinos, today can’t always be the very Most Delightful Day that Ever Was. It can seem unfair, but there it is.
But there is one sure-fire remedy, an option Rhinos call Concertina Power, which is the Uplift that music can offer the Dilapidated Spirit.
The actual instrument is not necessary, but the Will to get happy is. Humming can do the trick all by itself.
We Rhinos are generally Optimistic, always knee-deep in Anticipation. Oh, We may try to look Worldly Wise and detached, but behind that facade lurks a sense that things are about to get Even Better.
And most of the time, that attitude seems to work out pretty well.
And when it doesn’t, at least We are upbeat up until the moment things go South.
Rhinos like to think We know where We’re going, and We strut out on Life’s Boulevards accordingly. But as often as not, We find that either 1) We didn’t know where We were going or 2) things have gotten changed around somehow. Either, or both, ideas could be true.
The most Useful, and least often Used, Solution is to ask directions along the route. Most Natives will tell Us the way, assuming they know it themselves.
Lessons in Humility are probably good for Rhinos, even if We don’t like them much.
Because our sleeping patterns are so unpredictable, Rhinos need to get into Dream Mode with no delay. When We close our eyes, our dreaming mechanisms crank right up.
We are always surprised to learn that this is not a universal solution, but then, We are on duty 24/7, in various States of Awareness. ‘Semper Rhino’ is not just an easy-peasy slogan.
One nice thing is, Rhino dreams are almost all pleasing and rejuvenating. For which We are grateful. We wake up sassy, and stay that way.
Yes, We Rhinos get to be Big Critters all right. Pretty Majestic, all things told. Demurely Monumental.
But Inside, We are as fizzy as ever, holding dear the discoveries and thrills and attachments of childhood.
On those delights, We retain a powerful grip.
Rhinos have a lot to reckon with, even on a daily basis. Most of the time We do pretty well, Obviously… or We wouldn’t be here, right?
We don’t so much need to be prepared, We just need to be flexible and ingenious.
No matter how “put together” We are, things still pop up.
Rhinos may make Effervescent Socialites, but We also make dynamic Party Poopers.
Our policy is: If you feel a PP Fit coming on, Stay Home.
Some Readers believe that Rhinos are stately and serene, immersed in elegant, intricate thought patterns, dissecting Reality. Such Readers are insightful.
But Rambunctiousness is an alternative part of every Rhino’s repertoire of moods and capacities.
We like to think that We Rambunct with the best of ’em.
From Us, here at ‘Your Inner Rhino’, Oh, Won’t you be our Valentine-o?
Your Inner Rhino 