Almost everybody likes the idea of knowing the Future, usually working on the assumption We’ll like the news and our part in it.
‘Psephomancy’ is the practice of reading Pebbles, and over the past 50 million years there have been many advocates for its merits. Rhinos are wary of irritating Nature by doing too much Exploration. We figure, whatever is on its way, We’re built for it. Probably.
The Problem is: Rhinos are not immune to Temptation, whatever you may have heard.
Rhinos live mostly alone, each attending to matters as they come. We live with Mom for a couple of years, and then We move along. She shapes our childhood, but the emphasis is on developing successful solo survival strategies. We live in the Wild, right?
One skill We learn early on is the Self-Cuddle. We aren’t built for embracing ourselves physically, so We have to achieve our reassurance system mentally. When the going is rough, We give ourselves a Wee Squeeze, and recall just how capable and important We are. Naturally.
Thus mentally tuned up, We stride ahead.
“You know Money doesn’t grow on Trees,” say those who know about Money. Or they might say the same thing about Cessna 172S Skyhawks, or Burritos, or Gumdrops. Or about Worthy Companions or Inspiring Leaders.
Rhinos do not know Everything, but We do know a lot about Trees. What We want to reassure our Readers about is: If it’s a leaf, a needle, a frond, a flower, a fruit, a nut, a pod, plus stuff We forgot to mention, then it likely grew on a tree of some sort. And some critters live “in” trees, but are not part of the tree itself.
But Alfa Romeos? Sorry, but no. Or Seldom.
Rhinos are a quiet bunch most of the time. It is not that We cannot vocalize, but We pick up most easily via Scent, plus any sound clues We receive.
But We can make Sounds, and do when they want ‘out’. We don’t analyze, We just let the right grunt or squeak or belch get out there. What it lacks in specificity, our system accomplishes in consistency and clarity.
Because We don’t do it all the time, an occasional Yodel feels good.
Nature designs each member of our Rhino family specifically for the time and place in which We find ourselves. No two places are the same, nor are the playmates, weather, or vegetation We encounter just the same, etc.
When transplanted, We adjust as We must; better someplace that demands our attention than No Place at all. Which does happen.
You can take a Rhino out of Botswana, but you can’t take Botswana out of the Rhino. Nor would you want to.
Most days are ruled by a series of issues, many having to do with Food. Others involve sleep, merriment, and social demands. And paying attention to our Neighbors and their intentions. Welcome to Life in the Wild.
Rhinos enjoy ourselves. Why not be happy? There’s mostly a lot to celebrate, one hour to the next. Nature doing its thing, and We doing our small part with good grace.
If Today is much like Yesterday, We can only assume it’s all Good. Or at least, it’s all for the Best.
That statesman of the United States, Mr. Benjamin Franklin, b. 1706, was a man of many talents.
Today Rhinos acknowledge his inventing the Franklin Stove in 1742. Its unique feature was that although the heat of a fireplace goes up the chimney, the new stove radiated heat from the middle of the room. A welcome development where it gets chilly.
Rhinos live where heat is already abundant. Most days, We are more in the market for a friendly Glacier.
Every now and then a young Rhino will turn to an adult and remark, “You’re not getting any Younger, y’know.” Sass, pure and simple.
Rather than sitting on the young Rhino until it hollers, the adult answer is usually, “Neither are you.”
The idea is shocking for the young that many processes, in this case Aging, are part of the Natural Deal. For all of Us.
We Rhinos do not pretend to know what We’re doing or why. Our egos don’t need that hollow Reassurance. We are entirely Natural, the way Nature made Us and intended Us to be.
Nature’s Intentions are the only ones that count. Others are just Tomfoolery and Hogwash. Do Rhinos fuel the engines of Nature? No, We are the recipients, not the Primal Energy.
Is every day a Thrill? Perhaps, if not for Rhinos, for other critters.
Fame is all very well, and Rhinos appreciate being thought of fondly, the world over. We are grateful that We are as We are.
But there is a peculiar brand of Fatigue that typifies matters from time to time.
It’s a Glamorous Treadmill, but it’s a Rhino’s Destiny. Naturally.
Your Inner Rhino 