The Story of the Rat and the Giraffe

Rat: Oh my! I can’t see so high. My legs are short and I can’t fly. I’d love to eat a coconut or an apple in a tree. I’d love someday to taste the sweetness of a fabled treat called honey. Oh giraffe, I envy thee for being tall and long. You’re high and you can see the world, a place I’ve only heard in song. Giraffe: oh Mr. Rat, don’t be silly, it’s rather windy up here. It’s funny how this all happened. Height is my greatest fear! I’m afraid to fall and hurt my neck, I’m afraid I wouldn’t stand. Especially if no one is around to lend a helping hand. Rat: Hah! That is quite ironic. Tall, and you? Afraid? If I were big, I’d see the world miles and miles away. You won’t fall, you silly giraffe, you have four legs to keep you standing. If you were short you wouldn’t see exactly where you are running. Giraffe: Mr. Rat if you only knew what it’s like to be so tall. I can’t run away from danger, but you can hide in holes within a wall. With my luck, I’d trip on these clumsy hooves and fall right on my face. I’d be helpless, Mr. Rat, you see, and I can go no place. There was a rumbling sound in the distance and the ground began to shake below. Wide-eyed, the giraffe tripped and fell. He hit the log the rat stood on and he flew atop the wall. Rat: Oh dear giraffe are you alright? This is too high for me! Everything looks so small from here, and the world’s too big, you see. Dear giraffe, please stand up for you are the only one to help me down. It’s windy up here and I’m afraid I’ll fall. I want to be on the ground! Giraffe: Mr. Rat, I was silly. I don’t hurt at all! And I can stand at any time that I may happen to fall. Lo! I stand and help you down. Everything seemed much bigger from the ground. If you ever need a coconut, I would gladly get it for you. Rat: But to repay you? What shall I do? Giraffe: Climb my head, I’ll put it down and you can climb my neck. Sometimes birds find me comfortable, so you can chase them off my back. 2004