Run Towards Fear: A Short Story from Africa
How to act with courage and move with grace
One of the best things about moving countries is the abundance of new opportunities that open up.
Since moving to South Africa 5 years ago, I’ve learned a new language, tried new foods, visited new places, made new friends, listened to new music, read new books, learned new philosophies, studied new mythologies, and heard new stories around the fire.
To that last point, there is a story about fear that I’d love to share with you as it’s had a lasting impact on me. It comes from one of the most inspiring and scary places on the African continent: the Savanna.
Here goes.
When a pack of lions need to eat, they typically search for smaller prey such as gazelles. However, gazelles run much quicker than lions so unless they hunt tactically and together, they’ll get away.
To get around this, the older lions stand far away and create a perimeter for the younger lions to herd the gazelles toward. As they start rounding them up, the gazelles flee in the direction of the older lions.
Once they’re close enough, the older lions stand up in unison and roar as loud as their decaying bodies allow.
Stunned, the gazelles turn around and…
