DON’T FEED THE ANIMALS – a warning prompt at zoos or along
paths near camps, parks and ponds full of greedy animals that are prone to
believe you have an endless supply of food if thrown their way. Whether these animals
are seemingly harmless or ravenously carnivorous, the theme that remains
consistent from "don't feed the animals" is a cautionary piece of advice that
could save you from being bombarded by a swarm of relentless ducks or in some
extreme cases being attacked by an agitated bear.
So when I heard the “don’t feed the animals” warning put to
the tune of music beyond a zoo-sing-a-long for-kids type of way by Emily King,
the lyrics really caught my attention.
Big teeth in your face
Claws like a razor
blade
Never ever again will
I ever be friends with a big bad wolf like you
Poison that will eat
you alive
Tongue like a dragon
fire
Never ever again will
I ever be friends with a creepy little snake like you
Didn’t learn the first
time,
But oh I learned the
second time
Never again will we
ever be friends
They told me
don’t feed the animals
Besides the song’s incredible chanteuse and melodious
harmonies, it got me thinking about its theme. The song’s lyrics are
encouraging the listeners to be empowered through intuition, experience and
self-care/preservation to not put themselves in situations where someone preys
on their generosity or other nicety that can be misused.
At an initial thought over the lyrics, I began to wonder…who
are the animals in my life? And then my mind went to, what are the situations that
are animals in my life? There are a host
of bad habits, situations, and people that could be deemed as “animals” in the
context of Emily King’s song. Even more, it made me think about how do you know
when you’ve identified a predatory type “animal” person/situation in your life.
Hopefully this quick list of animals/people to avoid will
help you discern when to throw away the bait, or at least keep it for yourself:
- Messy Meerkats - People who try to get you to engage in gossip and then use your words against you. They mean you no good. If they will sit up there and talk nastily about someone else or distort their words, they will do it about you or defame your character for taking part in their antics
- Pitiful Pandas – these are people who are perpetually in need yet (un)intentionally negligent of your needs – I’m all for helping out a friend/lover/relative, yet this cute seemingly harmless animal will never extend that help back to you during your time of need. Don’t feed this animal.
- Hating Hyenas. Enough said.
- Sporadic Snake Snackers- These people are selectively reinforcing. They conveniently pick and choose when they want you around, get what they want out of you and have little regard for your feelings. They probably make you feel good when you’re around them, yet once they’ve gotten all they wanted from you they toss you to the side until their next feeding. Don’t feed these animals.
- Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. The Bible specifically discusses these folks. They’re fake and deceitful…once you’ve seen their true colors, don’t try and get them a better fitting sheep skin, it will never fit.
Let’s not even get on the topic of personal habits that can
be animals. It takes consistent work on oneself when you realize you’re an
animal to yourself and/or others.
Enjoy the full song and video that inspired this post below:
