I started my journey away from Utah with a cup of hot chocolate from City Cakes and Cafe. My barista, Emily, decided to write me a message to send me on my way. There might be a grammar error on the cup, but the sentiment is what matters in this instance.
The ostrich and the sloth: an unlikely pair
The ostrich is a large flightless bird that relies on speed for its protection and has a kick powerful enough to kill predators. Native to Africa, the ostrich can run up to 41 miles per hour and stands at between 7 and 9 feet tall.
The sloth is a mammal native to South America known for its distinct lack of speed. It is so slow that alga grows on its fur providing camouflage while the sloth spends its days not moving in the trees. In a race between a turtle and a sloth, the sloth would only win because of its relative size. The sloth is not quite 2 feet long.
In order for these two creatures to be able to have a relationship, they must proceed with patience, understanding, love and communication. They will have to overcome species, geography, culture and personal predilection to behaviors while not losing their individuality. That is a tall order for any couple.
The species issue is the easiest to overcome. The heart loves who it loves. No one can control that. That isn’t to say that the ostrich and the sloth won’t have problems due to being different species. Other animals and birds may sneer at and insult them, and they may have their own internal struggles with identity depending on their upbringing.
Geography is the next easiest to overcome. The ostrich and the sloth just need to move somewhere that makes sense for both of them. They could try a long-distance relationship, but at some point, they are going to have to come together in order for it to work. Family could also be a problem if the family does not accept the relationship. The only real problem with moving is that one will have to uproot his or her life.
If the uprooting is seen as a sacrifice, resentment could grow, especially during the dark times when the animal that moved doesn’t have any friends and must spend time alone waiting for the other animal to come home. Moving to a neutral area like North America or Europe would be difficult but could provide a reason for the two to come together with no resentment. The new place needs to be a mutual decision.
The cultures of the ostrich and the sloth are very different. The ostrich is an extrovert running around the dry heat of Africa. Boundless joy comes with speed, and the feeling of quick-firing muscles brings with it power that is different from the sloth. Ostriches are risk takers by nature. They gave up their ability to fly to run along the ground at amazing speeds.
Sloths are also powerful; dead sloths have been known to hang from the trees – the very place that the ostrich has forsaken – as their powerful grips do not release even as life leaves them. The sloth is slow, steady and only makes sure movements, practicing each move before committing to it. Where the ostrich is impulsive, the sloth is deliberate. The sloth wants to stay at home while the ostrich would prefer to go out and explore.
While a culture does not necessarily predict the individual behavior, it is still something that the two creatures would have to deal with, especially since most creatures do not examine their cultures enough to know that what is automatic may not be in another place. (Not every creature shakes hands in greeting a new being. Flashing the peace sign may not mean “peace” everywhere.)
Animals naturally favor certain tendencies in their lifestyles. In order for the ostrich and the sloth to have a successful, long-term relationship, each will have to grow to understand the other’s motivations, and each will have to learn to compromise. Through all of this, while they are growing together, they will also have to remain individuals. After all, it was the individual that they both fell in love with.
There may be times when the sloth will have to venture out with the ostrich for a night on the town, and there will be times when the ostrich will need to enjoy a quiet evening at home. The compromises need to be made with love and understanding. Any sense of trade or resentment for having to do something could sabotage the relationship.
Most importantly, the two must communicate. Neither animal can read minds or intentions. When an uncomfortable situation comes up for either the ostrich or the sloth, both must be willing to discuss it. It is only through communication that one creature can understand another, and even when the communication is imperfect, as long as it is done with love and an intent to understand, it will still communicate the care that one has for the other.
The sloth is a mammal native to South America known for its distinct lack of speed. It is so slow that alga grows on its fur providing camouflage while the sloth spends its days not moving in the trees. In a race between a turtle and a sloth, the sloth would only win because of its relative size. The sloth is not quite 2 feet long.
In order for these two creatures to be able to have a relationship, they must proceed with patience, understanding, love and communication. They will have to overcome species, geography, culture and personal predilection to behaviors while not losing their individuality. That is a tall order for any couple.
The species issue is the easiest to overcome. The heart loves who it loves. No one can control that. That isn’t to say that the ostrich and the sloth won’t have problems due to being different species. Other animals and birds may sneer at and insult them, and they may have their own internal struggles with identity depending on their upbringing.
Geography is the next easiest to overcome. The ostrich and the sloth just need to move somewhere that makes sense for both of them. They could try a long-distance relationship, but at some point, they are going to have to come together in order for it to work. Family could also be a problem if the family does not accept the relationship. The only real problem with moving is that one will have to uproot his or her life.
If the uprooting is seen as a sacrifice, resentment could grow, especially during the dark times when the animal that moved doesn’t have any friends and must spend time alone waiting for the other animal to come home. Moving to a neutral area like North America or Europe would be difficult but could provide a reason for the two to come together with no resentment. The new place needs to be a mutual decision.
The cultures of the ostrich and the sloth are very different. The ostrich is an extrovert running around the dry heat of Africa. Boundless joy comes with speed, and the feeling of quick-firing muscles brings with it power that is different from the sloth. Ostriches are risk takers by nature. They gave up their ability to fly to run along the ground at amazing speeds.
Sloths are also powerful; dead sloths have been known to hang from the trees – the very place that the ostrich has forsaken – as their powerful grips do not release even as life leaves them. The sloth is slow, steady and only makes sure movements, practicing each move before committing to it. Where the ostrich is impulsive, the sloth is deliberate. The sloth wants to stay at home while the ostrich would prefer to go out and explore.
While a culture does not necessarily predict the individual behavior, it is still something that the two creatures would have to deal with, especially since most creatures do not examine their cultures enough to know that what is automatic may not be in another place. (Not every creature shakes hands in greeting a new being. Flashing the peace sign may not mean “peace” everywhere.)
Animals naturally favor certain tendencies in their lifestyles. In order for the ostrich and the sloth to have a successful, long-term relationship, each will have to grow to understand the other’s motivations, and each will have to learn to compromise. Through all of this, while they are growing together, they will also have to remain individuals. After all, it was the individual that they both fell in love with.
There may be times when the sloth will have to venture out with the ostrich for a night on the town, and there will be times when the ostrich will need to enjoy a quiet evening at home. The compromises need to be made with love and understanding. Any sense of trade or resentment for having to do something could sabotage the relationship.
Most importantly, the two must communicate. Neither animal can read minds or intentions. When an uncomfortable situation comes up for either the ostrich or the sloth, both must be willing to discuss it. It is only through communication that one creature can understand another, and even when the communication is imperfect, as long as it is done with love and an intent to understand, it will still communicate the care that one has for the other.