The Bear And The Eagle

The bear, not above a little petty larceny, strode into a neighboring part of the woods, and looked about for prey. High above, a lone eagle soared on the wind, and kept a watchful eye on the goings on below. The bear, not the least intimidated, foraged it's way forward, laying waste to the underbrush, and anyone, or thing, that lay in it's path. The eagle observing all this, glided in circles, just taking in the unfolding scene. Soon, the bear called in others of it's clan, and began a systematic purging of the forests inhabitants. This, they did with great efficiency, and total impunity. Who wuild stop them?

The eagle, sensing an unfolding tragedy of great proportions, flew lower, and sought a perch from where it could see things more clearly. From a vantage point just above a clearing, the eagle knew something had to be done, or the forest would be denuded of all life. With it's shrillest cry, the eagle scolded the rampaging bears, but they simply ignored the loud protestations drifting downward from the canopy overhead. All the rest of the forest's animals were frolicing in a faraway place, oblivious to what was happening. The eagle flew away, and shrieked for someone to help drive the bears off, and back into their home grounds. Soon, a tall forest ranger appeared, and demanded that these senseless acts of violence cease. He faulted no one, and assessed blame on both parties, those doing the ransacking, and those whose homes were in tatters. This he did from a faraway place where he too was enjoying some late summer fun. The bears laughed themselves silly, and knew they were as safe as can be. The mighty bear had once again awoken, and was on the march through habitats reserved for others. History, inexorably, was repeating itself, and nobody seemed to care.

Is there a moral here? Probably not, but rest assured that there are those who will, in a time of need, always do the right thing. Just now, we seem to be having a little trouble finding those people of character, and unflinching bravery. People who planned a successful surprise attack against an enemy force just across a frozen river many years ago. People who decided that the best way to save the greatest number of enemy, and friendly forces, was to do the unthinkable, and unleash the terror of a new force of nature on the enemy. People whose eyes did not blink, as they challenged the intentions of a demonic enemy, but a mere ninety miles away. People who got up from the bargaining table in Iceland, and walked out, leaving an enemy to ponder what to do next. All these people had a common character trait. They were honest, and decent people who shined the light of liberty brightly upon the frozen tundra of ignorance. They did not gamble, they led our country during it's darkest hours. Theirs is a lasting legacy to those who would follow in their footsteps.

The bear, and the eagle, will forever test one another. Other animals will come to the fore, The right ones will lead, and we shall follow triumphantly, as truth, and freedom are once again restored to the inhabitants of the forest.