The clouds kissed the top of the mountains and chased each other as they moved across the skies. They shed their burden as they moved, ushering in the first showers. The parched land lapped up the water, rejoicing at the onset of the monsoons.
A magnificent tigress waited in the shade of the tall bushes, and her cups stated beside her, careful not to make any sound. Their eyes were trained on a herd of deer grazing nearby. The tigress and her cubs had not had a proper meal in days. She needed this hunt to be successful!
They waited and waited. At long last, an unfortunate young deer parted ways with her herd as she trotted towards a stone basin installed in the sanctuary. The tigress seized at the perfect opportunity! She stealthily closed the distance between her and the easy prey. The inexperienced deer had clearly let down his guard and the rest of his herd remained oblivious to the approaching threat.
In a blink of an eye, the tigress launched herself at the deer, heading straight for his throat. There was only so much the poor deer could do. The unexpected attack alerted his herd and they sprinted to put some distance between themselves and the predator.
His herd came to a halt a little further ahead and watched mutely and helplessly as they watched the tigress drag his body away like a rag doll. Among them, stood his mother… watching helplessly as the tiger family began to feast on her child! Such was life and there was nothing to be done now. Her head hung low, she trotted along with her herd as they moved away, leaving her baby behind forever!
As one mother walked away with a broken heart, another mother rejoiced in the knowledge that a hearty meal awaited her little family. The tigress watched in contentment as she watched her cubs eat to their heart’s content.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
This was a rather rushed attempt. So forgive me if there are any typos! I’ll come back and fix them later. This story drew heavily from my experiences watching different documentaries on Animal Planet, Natural Geographic, and the like.
Nature has one rule – it’s the survival of the fittest. Without tigers, the population of the deer would grow unchecked which in turn will lead to deforestation and collapse of the entire ecosystem! Tigers, being apex predators play a vital role. Ecosystems are delicate and fragile, and there is only so much they can do to sustain themselves when humans start interfering. I hope that it’s not too late to save our only home from total destruction!
This poem was written in response to two picture prompts:
1. Sue Vincent’s Thursday photo prompt – the #writephoto prompt. The challenge is to use the given photo prompt as an inspiration to create a post on your own blog… poetry, prose, humour… light or dark, whatever you choose, as long as it is fairly family-friendly. Thank you, Sue for hosting this challenge. Click on the link to know more about this challenge and to read the entries by my fellow bloggers.
For visually challenged writers, Sue’s image shows a landscape of green moorland and hills, with a pool of water near rocks in the foreground and a heavy bank of white cloud rolling in and masking the horizon.
And
2. Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #79. Thank you, Fandango for hosting this challenge. The challenge is to use the given picture prompt to write a flash fiction piece or a poem inspired by the photo. There are no style or word limits.
For the visually challenged writer, Fandango’s photo is of a male deer taking a drink of water from a backyard birdbath.
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You’ve incorporated both the prompt pics into a beautiful story 😊 Well done!!
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I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you so much 💖
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It was both heart wrenching and heart warming! Through your words, I was able to empathize with both the deer and the tigress. Nature works in mysterious ways and I always found the concept “Survival of the fittest”, a little unsettling.
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Yes, it is a little unsettling but I guess there’s still a delicate balance to the way Nature works. If it’s alerted, chaos will reign. I’m glad that my story had such an impact. Thank you so much ❤️🤗
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Tale of life, well told. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Aishwarya ❤️🤗
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🙂
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So very well written
Great story, Shweta ☺☺
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Thank you so much, Era ❤️🤗
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Pleasure is all mine 💙
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A fragile balance that only Nature can hold… well told, Shweta.
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Indeed. Thanks a lot, Sue ♥️
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True it is, Foodchain in nature is its great irony, the death of one is a celebration for another – Haseezmusings
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Indeed. That’s what Nature works. Thanks a lot, Reshmi.
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Great story Shweta. Yes the nature has built in checks and balances. Your story did reminded me of Nat geo documentaries.
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I’m glad that my story had such an impact. Thank you so much, Sadje ♥️
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You have a lot of talent Shweta!
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Romantic clouds and committed mothers.
Damn!
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Oh, finally I got a comment from the Prince! 😉
I am honoured 😉
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I usually read your posts early in the morning right after I wake up. I read and sleep again. That’s why I miss commenting.
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Oh, I see! Do my posts make you drowsy? 😛
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Haha I wish they did
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I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not.
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It is
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😂
Good afternoon, Bharaaaaath
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Shwetaaaaaaaaaaa
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Hey, Bharaaaaath
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Shwetaaaaaaaaa
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So very well written
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Thanks a lot, my dear 🙂
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I like how you have contrasted the loss of the deer with the joy of the tigress. Really interesting story!
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I’m happy that you liked it. Thank you so much, Pooja ♥️🤗
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‘As one mother walked away with a broken heart, another mother rejoiced in the knowledge that a hearty meal awaited her little family.’ Wow! Just wow!
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I really liked that line too. Sometimes, I amaze myself. Pongacham alla ennalum 😂
Thank you, Achu chechi. Happy Onam!
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😄😄 Enne kond enik thanne vayya ennokke 😄
Happy Onam dear 😊
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Survival of the fittest, indeed. And a very fitting response to the two photo prompts. Well done, Shweta.
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Indeed. Nature can be harsh like that. Thanks a lot for the prompt, Fandango 😃
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The contrast feelings of the two mothers is very well written Shweta .. a perfect story to fit both prompts ..
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Aww, thanks a lot, HS. I’m so happy that you liked it.
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Wonderfully written Shweta! This is nature, this is life! Unfair for one, fair for the other. Full of ironies.
I loved this❤
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Thanks a lot, Ishita. I’m so happy that you liked it. Yes, Nature is full of ironies indeed.
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It’s a nice story!
The way you blended it with mother’s and kids made it appear so real.
Good one Shweta ✨
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Thanks a lot, my dear Rhyming Princess. I’m glad that this story has such a realistic feel 😃
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Survival of the fittest is what is always with animals they would not know anything else and so sad to see one mother lose her child and the other mother enjoying her cubs eating food. Lovely and beautiful story, Shweta.
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Yes. I totally agree. Thank you so much, Kamalji. I’m so glad that you liked this one.
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Welcome dear Shweta 😊😊😊😊
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Aah, I could feel the pain of the Mama deer and the pride of the Mama tigress. Ones loss is ones victory. I could visualise a National Geographic episode here. Well done Shweta 🙌💞
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That’s the way Nature is. Thanks a lot, my dear ❤️
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I love your stories, the depth and morals
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Oh. Jude. You made my day! I am very proud of this one in particular. 🙂
Thanks a lot for your kind and encouraging words 🙂
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My pleasure 🌼
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Thank you, Sue 🙂
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A tale well told and well crafted…well done Shweta🙂🙂🙂
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Thank you so much, Mich. I am so happy to hear that! 🙂
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Well crafted!!
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Thank you, Aashi 🙂
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It is so true that nature isn’t fair to all but that is what makes life go around.
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Yes. If everyone were to thrive, it might seem difficult. You’ve got a point, Christine.
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Thank you so much, Aishwarya ❤️🤗
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Love the way you explained how overpopulation of our dearest deer can be bad for the entire ecosystem. Animals hunting other animals is how nature remains well-balanced.
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