This was an in-class assignment in my Rhetoric class to create a fable with a lesson for social media users.
Once a week in the hot African sun the teenage lions of the Roar community would clean and bring the carcasses of the biggest animal, they caught that week to show the fellow lions in their community. Out of the teenage lions, Alley and Cub became addicted and obsessed with making sure their carcass was the biggest and shiniest to make sure they appeared interesting and cool to their fellow lion cubs. Each week they spent more and more time cleaning and perfecting their catch of the week in order to attract attention to themselves and their hunting skills.
“I wish my carcass presentation looked as perfect as Cub’s. She always has the cleanest and biggest carcass. Mine never seems to be as good as hers,” said Alley to her mom the night before the weekly carcass showoff. Her mom looked over from grooming Alley’s twin baby brothers.
“Alley, comparing yourself to Cub is ruining the sweet friendship that you have always had with her. You are always trying to one up each other ever since you have been participating in this prideful event,” said Alley’s mom.
In the den next door Cub was having the same conversation with her mom over their dinner of fresh zebra.
“I keep trying to make sure I catch the biggest antelope, zebra, or hippo in order to be admired by my friends and the other lions. I am never satisfied with my catch or how I clean the bones. I can never seem to catch big enough prey. It never looks as polished as the other lions,’ Cub complained to her parents, as she uninterestedly pawed her zebra.
“So this is why you have been so upset and unhappy lately. Maybe you should take a break from the weekly carcass show off, not everyone has to participate in it constantly. It is making you sad, anxious, and causing you to be jealous of your friend. Notice how you are not joyful anymore? You are letting your friendship with Alley become strained because of a silly little thing. I think you need to stop comparing yourself with others because you are always so downcast and you are not enjoying life,” said Cub’s mom.
The next day Cub was lounging under the Acacia trees, when Alley came slinking over.
“I have a confession I need to make,” said Alley.
“Really? What is it? I actually need to discuss something with you too,” responded Cub.
“I feel like I have become so wrapped up in comparison when it comes to the carcass showoff that I have let it ruin our friendship. I just wanted to let you know that I have been struggling with this,” Alley shyly said to Cub.
“Me too! That is what I wanted to talk to you about. This carcass showoff competition has been making me feel anxious, and I have been comparing myself to everyone, including you,” answered Cub.
After the two of them had said their piece they grinned toothy grins at each other and both happily rolled around in the grass like old times. They both learned that comparison is indeed a killer of both joy and friendship.
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