A Different Perspective

    Grasping the huge wooden bars, I pulled myself to my feet. I was somewhat refreshed from dozing off for a bit, but felt like I hadn't eaten in days. Seems like I'm hungry all the time. I couldn't escape from the cage, I had tried often enough. I was totally dependent on the giants who imprisoned me here at their convenience.     I could see them milling about. Talking and pointing at me amongst themselves. I was the object of their laughter. Even refreshed from the sleep, my legs still lacked the strength to sustain me for long. I lost my grip and sat down hard, rolling over on my stomach and crawling as far away from them as I could.

    I sat in humility, noticing I had soiled myself while I had slept.

    The cage was small, if I had any strength, I could easily jump up and grab the top bar, and perhaps escape. I think it is something in the food. After I eat, I always seem to fall asleep. I don't have enough room to move around and gain strength, and as soon as I start moving around again, they feed me and I can't seem to help but fall asleep.

    I looked through the bars and saw something of interest. It was a huge thing, all shiny and so full of colors. I thought I may be able to reach through the bars and pull it in if I tried. I laid on my stomach and reached for it. Then, I saw the monster... A huge, furry thing with a mouth so full of teeth. It crouched and stared at my exposed arm sticking out between the bars, it's tail twitching, jerking back and forth.

    One of the giants walked by and kicked at it, and it ran away. I couldn't figure out why the giants would keep such dangerous animals about. I thought it was going to attack me. Once again, I reached for the thing I had set upon before the beast was chased away. I drew it towards me and into the cage.

    It was such a wonderful thing, all shiny and smooth. And it was full of pictures, even pictures of food. I was so hungry, I couldn't help but put the thing to my nose to see if I could smell the food! And then a giant jerked it away. What did they think, that I was going to try to eat it?

    I was so weak and hungry. I smelled bad from the accident I had while sleeping. Try as I might, I couldn't help but burst into tears. I knew what would happen, I had gone through this many times, and I cry a lot these days. One of the giants came over to me.

    I couldn't understand their words, and even though they kept me in a cage, they were kind. One of the giants picked me up and said...

    "Aw, you poor little thing! You're soaking wet, and I'll bet your starving to death after that nice long nap! Let's just get you out of that playpen and get you a dry diaper! Then we'll fix you a nice warm bottle..."