A small, harmless frog floated into the thick wilderness, hopping near the banks of a glistening creek underneath jade-colored trees. A gentle wind blew through the air, carrying the scent of damp moss and the light swish of leaves.
It spread his slimy green and yellow skin as he hopped around grass puddles onto a pad of lily. Life was perfect until you realized this little scenario depicts power and tyranny.
This picture of happiness was about to be disrupted.
A large tree cast a dark shadow, allowing the snake to conceal itself. Its black scales glittered in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. The snake fixed its unblinking, stony gaze on the frog, analyzing its every move in slow motion. It slithered around as if hunting were the reason for living, just as some people have power struggles.
Suddenly, the snake lunged toward its prey without the frog even knowing what hit him. It was as if he flew by in the wind. The snake’s mouth unhinged, revealing a dark hollow. The snake’s scaled body, cool and dry, coiled with surprising speed and immense power around the frog. A faint, earthy scent of damp soil clung to its skin. The frog’s struggles became weaker, its small body finally yielding to the constricting grip, a testament to the predator’s strength.
Silence.
The frog’s ribbits echoed through the foggy trees. The swishing sounds of the snake’s jaws swallowing sent chills down my spine. As the frog took one last breath before vanishing into the snake’s stomach, I froze.
Of course, there are predators and innocent prey. Each living thing has different powers. For example, snakes. They wave their shiny scales and slither everywhere, as if they hold all the power. You know what’s powerful? Having a higher rank in our social classes. Or how the tree branches filter the sunlight and cast shadows on the floor as if they’re controlling what you see. Not to mention the faint sounds of birds chirping in the distance, providing us with a melody.
Isn’t nature amazing?
Do you ever notice how ambiance can trick you into feeling relaxed? We love that calmness, don’t we humans? But beneath that calmness, there are shadows. Dark, twisted shadows that want to kill you if you peek into them.
Just simple gestures of power, like a faint shadow, can cause ripples through water. We are born connected to the ground, so why not take advantage of the world by questioning our role in it, as we all wonder if we’re merely spectators or a piece of the great design?