The Giant & Petite

Theirs is a shared love. Theirs is mutual and reciprocal. And theirs seem like it’s without blemish. They aren’t selfish. They love themselves to pieces. Like a couple they‘re inseparable. Their names rhyme. They call them Bella and Tara .I call them The Giant and Petite.

They aren’t humans. They’re animals—two living creatures---an Elephant and a Dog living the world as though they’re born twins. Bella the dog is always seen tailing her super-sized friend Tara, the elephant. They swing together as if they’re birthed by same parents and stroll together as though they’ve known each other from Adam. Their habitats are different. One is domestic the other lives in the wilds. Yet, they’ve become bonded friends.

Who would have thought or imagined to see such incompatible friendship grow to an unimaginable height? It’s surreal story that challenges humanity to do soul searching.

First of all, I like to put this into perspective. According to National Geographic the average African elephant weighs between 2.5 and 7 tons compared to 2.5 to 5.5 of its counterpart in Asia. Then come the superlatives—given its sheer size—the African elephant is the largest living land mammal on Earth. In addition to their enormous weight, African elephants stand anywhere from 8.2 feet to over 13 feet at the shoulder.

Wildlife scientists say elephants maintain their spectacular weight by consuming up to 300 pounds of food in a day. That’s right!

On the other hand, an average American Water Spaniel adult male dog weighs 30-45 ponds while the female adult weighs 25-40 ponds. An Australian Sheperd female dog weighs 40-55 pounds. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention suggests a weight range from breed to breeds. For example, Labrador Retrievers weigh between 65 to 80 pounds adding that figure can vary.

So now you can see the difference(s) between the two friends.

Thanks to the social media I couldn’t miss Tara’s majestic walk in a short video which has gone viral. Neither her wolf-looking friend‘s diminutive size could sneak my hawkish eyes. Their daily activities which start from the sunrise to sundown are just breath taking. It’s like a walk with Jesus. Petite Bella sees nothing to be concerned about. She’s a buxom friend not just a friend but a great friend she could count on when need be. When she’s weak and when everything seems to be going wrong Tara will be there and likewise her.

Call them soulmates. Side by side they stroll every day-- down the valley, up the hills in the wilderness. Both of them now live in a sanctuary. They walk the talk and amaze the world every day. They do everything in common. The two are absolutely inseparable.

‘When it’s time to eat; they both eat together, they drink together, they sleep together, and they play together,” a woman and co-founder of the sanctuary said of the two buddies.

A narrator in the video said: “The two had been close for years but no one really knew how close they were until recently. A few months ago Bella suffered a spinal cord injury, she couldn’t move the legs, couldn’t even wag the tail. For three weeks the dog laid motionless up in the sanctuary office.

And foe three weeks the elephant held the jaw. 27 hundred acres to roam free and Tara just stood the corner. “

Tara showed love throughout her friends’ ailment. She never gave up on Bella Once again the woman in the video is heard: “To me it really meant she was concerned about her friend. “

According to the narrator, “then one day co-founder Scott Blake carried Bella on the balcony so she and Tars can at least see each other. And they visited like this till Bella could walk. Today, their love and trust is stronger than ever. Bella even let TARA pet her tummy with her foot. “

They Habour no fears, no secrets no prejudices... Just two living creatures which somehow manage to look pass their immense difference. Take a good look America take a good look the world. I f they can do it what’s our excuse. “

So how come humanity is struggling to make this work?

Several months ago there was a video of a duck that took care of a group of fish. The clip was shared on the social media platforms that also went viral. There was another one which had a little dog that almost took responsibility of a household whilst its owner was in bed. The little one checked the mails, brewed the coffees and woke her owner up from sleep. Certainly there are several if not many of such videos out there.

But there seems to be a missing link. Truly, something’s gone wrong. Author of Crows Go Wild’ Gordon Offin-Amaniampong says: The eyes of genuine love see nothin’ but love. Until our eyes see no colour, see no race, see no sex, see no class and remain unbiased, our quest for peace, unity and love will be nothin’ but an illusion.

The narrator of Bella and Tara story put it eloquently: “If they can do it what’s our excuse.”

What’s our problem one may ask? Why can’t we make it work as political parties in our countries with the objective of building a stronger and viable economy, building a peaceful country and building stable democratic government?

Why can’t we make it work as ethnic groups? Remember we’re same people but different dialects and perhaps values. But that should never tear us apart given the fact that animals can make it work despite the immense differences.

Must we all belong to one political party? The obvious answer is no. So why can’t we tolerate one another, see them not as our enemies but rather partners in development. Parties today are tearing families apart, creating enmity among ethnic groups and dividing people of all backgrounds. Siblings are nick picking, while parents have become haters of their own kids all in the name of party politics.

And nations are probably doing worse. Powerful nations are bullying the less-powerful. They’ve turned institutions and agencies as gladiators or alligators ---looking for prey to kill. Woe unto nations that are branded ‘rogue’ failed’ or ‘axis of evil’.

Remember what Jesus said over r two thousand years ago? Our Lord said this: “It’s easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God,” Mark 10:25 (KJV).

I’m a messenger of hope, my message stings but it cures...