2018 Lions and Bed Bugs
The new year 2018 is waiting in the wings, watching with
glee another round of happy new year wishes which will never come to fruition because
human beings do not have the stoicism, intellect, tenacity, and sting of lions
and bed bugs.
They believe in instant gratification, the now-now. That is why they have Nespresso coffee makers,
T.V. dinners, plastic knives, forks and glasses, pre-approved credit,
disposable Christmas trees and online love.
Lions and bed bugs are more realistic.
They are patient. They still believe that good things come to those who
wait.
It might seem ridiculous to equate the two but they have the
same survival strategy. Master
planners. They observe the prey: its
mating, family, favourite food, watering hole and its residential address. Careless tourists with cameras are a plus.
Prey surveillance is much easier for bed bugs because what’s
wrong with not making my bed for a month, let alone regularly washing bedsheets
and comforters and hanging them in the sun?
Coin laundries are also open for business. Why should we turn mattresses upside down to
see if there are any squatters, vacuum under the bed or bathe for a change?
People in Canada and the U.S. group themselves into all
kinds of collectives, but none are as effective as those of lions and bed
bugs. Once all the data on the prey is
in, they take a decision which involves all members of the family, mama lion
will take care of the neck and papa lion will cripple the giraffe. Junior?
Even baby lion takes part in the kill.
Maybe stoicism, intellect and tenacity of lions and bed
bugs, should be our 2018 resolution.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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