SURVIVAL INSTINCT

Lulu was an active Snap Dog. He loved everything about the world except the part that quartered him. He thought that his life was dull as a dishwasher and had no purpose in getting fed by doing what he hated very much. He entertained unknown crowds everyday at the circus and travelled with his fellow performers that included a Magpie and a Monkey that were close to Lulu than any other animals in the group.Never had a day passed without Lulu grumbling about his colorless life,unemotional master and boring routines.Although the people that came to watch the shows,invigorated Lulu's performance with loud cheers and whistling,it was not what he wanted.For him,what he was doing for winning his food was a nemesis and he wanted everything about it to be changed some day.

Getting weary of Lulu's usual song of sorrow,the Magpie said,"What do you want to do to make yourself happy then? Do you have anything in your mind?"Margo,the monkey looked at Lulu with an eager face to know what was running in his mind. Lulu immediately replied," I want to do something that would challenge my sole existence.This work is too much stressful for me.I think am wasting my time and energy here.I want to live with real people,in a real house,pampered and taken care of by the humans". The other two animals scorned and said,"If you hate this place so much ,why don't you just abscond? We don't see the point of you staying here anyway?". Lulu was silent for a moment trying to read between the lines. He never had the courage to even have a thought about sneaking out of that place and be on his own.

That night

"I just can do this anymore.I can't die a remorseful death.What the hell?! I am ditching this place tonight",decided Lulu. He did not forsee anything positive but was pretty much strong in his resolve. Lulu managed to break free and ran as fast as his legs could carry him.He was totally exhausted when he reached a rickety motel and fell asleep outside the entrance. It was a long night with tight sleep. The next morning Lulu was waken up by the moving vehicles on the street. He was terribly hungry and could hardly run. It was at that time when Lulu spotted a well-dressed stranger sitting on a street chair with his heads down not showing any sign of life.

Lulu slowly neared the human, only to see a big lamb Panini clutched in his hand with a dripping parmesan. Lulu's mouth watered.At the same time,he was scared to death to make any contact with the stationary human. He went closer and took a goodly sniff of the meat. Immediately,the small body moved with a slight jerk and Lulu backed off in no time. The stranger was an old man in his sixties. He looked desperate and grief-stricken. When he saw wide-eyed Lulu standing 7 feet away with a painful look on his face,the stranger felt bad. He shifted his glance from the sandwich to the dog and vice versa. He placed the sandwich near his feet and signalled at Lulu,"Here boy! Here!"

Lulu hesitantly moved closer and sniffed at the sandwich,having a careful eye around him.He relished his meal heartily unmindful of the exit of the stranger. The next day,Lulu readily awaited his new acquaintance and the meal that he brought. This went on for a fortnight. One day Lulu,followed the stranger to the place where he lived.He expressed is hidden desire to stay close to the stranger's place and it became a reality when the stranger opened his door and let Lulu in with a forced smile.

5 years Later......

One day at the circus....

"So what? Now you don't hate your life?", asked the Magpie."I think circus was way better than this. Atleast we had decent food to eat and travelled around the world".

"This man is using you as his service animal. Don't say you are happy with fetching things and help him to do domestic work when you don't even have a chance to feed upon fancy food and to travel! If he can't do his own work what can he do for you? You had a fan following you here,remember?",added the monkey.

Lulu smiled gently and said,"I think I have to go. My master would be worried if am late. You chaps take care then."

Magpie retorted,"I think you have totally lost it.If anything has to be called stressful,it has to be something that you are doing now. Please get out of that slavery and join us. You cannot have a better option.Choose wisely."

Lulu replied,"I do not want to be in a place where I am tolerated;I'd rather go to a place where am celebrated."

Magpie snapped back looking at the monkey,"Lets's go Margo,We've got a show to put up. This fool deserves failure.Come on!"

The monkey followed Magpie without looking back.

Lulu stood there for a long time feeling happy and contented for the first time in his life.

PS: Inspired by someone I see everyday in the mirror.