Through Wild Eyes' Jungle Life-Through A Black Leopard's Eyes

Malachite's Point of View

I loved Joy but Ora seemed to be in a in depth struggle in her mind. She was quiet and unusually shy. I wonder could it be that she came from beyond our borders. I had to find her. Maybe I would see her again. If Mother Nature was willing, it wouldn't be the last of our interactions.

-Malachite

There was a scream of a toucan from above in the treetops.

"Torkeo," said Ora. "Stop. I don't want to see my father."

"But you must report back Ora," he replied.

"I can't." She replied. "I'm sorry, but it's wrong. What he wants is wrong. And it goes against nature."

"Ah, that natural love is a fairytale. Nature doesn't decide our mates." stated the toucan.

"Maybe that's true for birds," She said. "But my heart tells me to look into the eyes of those that are not fearful."

"You should have heard Malachite's song," stated Ora.

She jumped into another tree.

"I try my best to be the perfect daughter, but sometimes a father is not as wise as he seems or thinks he is. Why to change what can not be seen? I never wanted this job and nor do I see this Guardian as my mate. But yet, I stay and watch him play. His attitude and positivity so inspiring. All he does reminds me of all my mother said. We don't chose who we are for naught. But we don't have to follow all the same rules as our ancestors who came before. Oooo-oooo-oooo-ooooh! Oh, yeah.

The greatest leap we make is on we have to make on our own. The greatest leap is one we make on our own. Come to a fork in the path or a parting in the streams. You have to make a choice whether it's better or worse that's just gonna have to wait. The greatest leap is one we make on our own. The greatest leap is one we make on our own. No one need to follow in someone's else paw prints when we can make our own jungle trail and leave our tracks behind us.

Here I stand at the edge of the wilderness and hear the rushing waterfall beside me. I feel the breeze coming up off the lake and sea. I hear my heart sighing and echoing back to me from the tops of the cliffs all the way back down to where I stand staring back at a poor lost creature whose reflection and face I don't know. Who am I to deny someone else their true happiness? Who am I to ruin a place where I can disappear for years and make a new life right here? Oh yeah who am I to put pressure on those I don't know?

It's time to forge my own path. Make my own choice. Move forward without someone tapping my shoulder every time I fall and saying harshly. "Get up. You won't make it through like that and if you don't make it through you're out of here."

The Voice of Wisdom calls from deep within the water that ripples before my eyes and in the wind that shakes the trees and makes the leaves fall slowly in front of me.

And this is what she says.

"I see you standing on the edge of life.

I feel you slipping, sliding, falling, stumbling.

Don't listen to those who mock you

And force you to do everything who is not who you are.

Take my hand, let me be your guiding light.

I will hold your hand and let you cry all your doubts away.

Let me hug you and take away all your worries and your fears.

I will always be there when you face your darkest hour

You will find me forever in your heart and memories.

I will raise you up like eagles soar through the skies!

I will be your armor and sword of light

Cast away the darkness.

Jump right on in in the River of Healing.

You won't drown.

I'm the life jacket you trust.

I'm the lighthouse you see on the opposite shore.

I'm the friends who you have and will make.

We're your light

And we love you because you are you.

We love you for who you are and that's because what makes you special

Is the thing that makes you different.

And to be honest the world needs more creative people

Like you.

Come take my hand and take the leap.

It's okay.

Take my hand.

Comfort zones are only temporary.

Oh come on. Someone is out there to whom there's a difference only you can make.

What makes you different is what makes you special.

So step out, walk out the door and open up yourself to the world

Some will listen even if the rest shut their doors.

Love is the greatest gift of all

And the best way to make a friend is to be a friend."

"Wow. I had no idea you could sing like that Ora," stated Torkeo.

"I didn't know either I guess it was listening to Malachite that opened up my heart." replied Ora. "Maybe this is a better place for me after all."

Word count: 832 words