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Predator and Prey

In the animal kingdom, the concept of prey and predator is one that is unavoidable. A law of the jungle, only the strongest will survive and more often than not, the strongest just happens to be a predator rather than prey.

There are instances however, where the scales tip in favour of the prey. Imagine this for me; a largemouth bass was swimming in the Bayou one day when a bird decided to sink its talons into the fish's meat in hopes of a meal. One slight problem however was that the largemouth bass just happened to be on the larger side of the scale and with its wild thrashing and size, the bird has no choice other than to let go. Alas, it cannot release its prey for its talons are in too deep! The largemouth bass writhes with all its might as its captor attempts to release its grip on what it thought to be an easy meal.

Eventually, the largemouth bass finds itself underwater once more and continues on its way. The bird on the other hand, has nowhere left to go but to the bottom of the sea. A rather cruel concept don't you think? Yet this very same concept of 'Predator and Prey' exists in humans and unfortunately, even in countryhumans.

One example of 'Predator and Prey' would be Ireland and Britain. It was no secret that the former despised the latter for driving a rift between him and Northern Ireland. Even though many have said that it was Great Britain and not Britain himself, Ireland still saw him as someone who had taken his brother away from him. Many times during world meetings, Ireland would pester France with questions about his younger brother's welfare but spit in Britain's direction for the crime that had been enacted.

Northern Ireland found it annoying after the fourth time, confronted his brother and beseeched him to "stop acting like an uncultured 3 year old". Ireland had responded by listing the many reasons why he didn't trust Britain only to receive a sharp slap from Northern Ireland followed by a haunting phrase "So you'd rather fight him than be reunited! I'm glad to hear your opinion on the matter Brother!" at first, Ireland had always been the predator but after what Northern Ireland said, it became painfully obvious who had the upper hand in their little game of Animal Kingdom.

Another example of 'Predator and Prey' in the world of countryhumans would be Nato and FBI. Ever since the Federal Bureau of Investigation had been brought in and taken under UN's wing, Nato had hated him with a passion. He hated the way he pranced around the office like a peacock with its feathers on full display. He despised the way he joked about with Asean even though it was painfully obvious that the latter was uncomfortable. It didn't take a private investigator like Sherlock to figure that out. However FBI only got the hint after Asean had finally (in his polite reserved manner that Nato secretly adored) let his voice be heard.

Okay maybe it also took a few punches from Nato to shut his trap but still!

On the bright side, the hatred is mutual. FBI sees Nato as a lazy ox who does nothing but stare longingly at the object of his desires instead of actively pursuing it. Not to mention that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's was established to fight the already long gone Soviet Union. To FBI, Nato was nothing but a waste of resources and space. It was clear to him however that it was the old man's pride that held him back from retirement.

However, just because you were predator and prey once upon a time, that doesn't necessarily dictate your relationship forever. Take Germany and Poland as an example. Yes Germany's family had hurt Poland on multiple occasions but time has proved an unstoppable healer. The two have mended their relationship and even strengthened it throughout the years.

Why, Poland was the first to know when Germany came out as non-binary and likewise when Poland came out of the closet in all her lesbian glory. The two friends have had their ups and downs but hey, name me one ocean that doesn't face the waves. Keeper of Secrets, Poland has earned that title thanks to the ever trusting German while the Good Doctor practiced on their Polish patient. No matter what time of day it was, Poland could always count on Germany to break the door down and come in with medical advice and a first aid kit faster than she can say "ow". Likewise, Germany could always count on Poland to force them to take a break whenever they tend to overwork.

Speaking of breaking down doors, that particular activity was the very thing that brought Egypt and Brazil together. It had happened on their first day of High School together and even the teachers had given up. Egypt somehow managed to get locked in the music room for a good ten minutes while Brazil had gotten stuck in the chemistry lab. Though in separate locations, and despite not having met before that afternoon's detention session, the two boys both had the brilliant idea of bashing their respective body weights against the doors repeatedly until freedom was theirs.

When they had met in detention that afternoon Brazil was the first to strike up conversation and when Egypt found out he was in for the same crime he was, camaraderie was established almost instantly. A friendship that went beyond their high school years, it was no wonder the two were sometimes compared to Joey and Chandler from the Friends sitcom. (Although... they often argue over who's who)

In conclusion, although the Law of The Jungle is a law that has been present for centuries and still continues to exist today, it is a law that we can afford to break. A law that we must break. For no matter where we come from, whom we call our life partners, no matter our race or religion we are all people of this earth. This isn't a jungle, you don't need to be the strongest to survive.