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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FRESH (04/29/21)
In his classic book on Indian jungle lore, Man -Eaters of Kumaon, Colonel Jim Corbett, writes about hunting tigers. These writings contain information on tracking and shooting man- eaters in the Indian Himalayas in the early years of 1900. Jim Corbett believes that no animal is born a man-eater. It is forced by circumstances beyond its control to abandon its natural prey and seek man or domestic animals. It could be because the animal lost its teeth or claws in an accident, or to a wound inflicted during its encounter with man or another animal ,like a porcupine.


One of his stories is about a man-eating tiger that terrorized a village nestling among the forests in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. While hiding behind closed doors in their grass huts the villagers would hear the tiger moaning as he walked through the village. This was unusual as predators growl as they hunt and moan only if they are in pain. Therefore Jim Corbett surmised that the tiger was in pain caused by a wound and this was the cause of his becoming a man-eater.


This fact proved to be correct when he eventually shot the tiger and skinned it. He discovered about twenty five porcupine quills , ranging between 2" to 5" long imbedded in the left shoulder and foreleg of the tiger. Outside the wounds had healed but inside it had become infected and excluded a yellowish fluid. Every time the animal walked the muscles would move the quills, keeping the wounds fresh and causing terrible pain. Since there was no way the poor animal could remove the quills he would suffer that excruciating pain until he dies.



I could relate to this animal's pain , for mental wounds are just as hurting as physical ones. One day I had stood before an open grave and watched the coffin that held all my love, my hopes and joys being slowly lowered into it. I felt a hundred porcupine quills pierce my heart. Memories twisted and turned the quills in my heart keeping the wound fresh and painful. Days rolled into months and the pain continued. When I couldn't bear it any more I fell on my knees before God. Great sobs tore through my body as floodgates of my eyes opened ad tears gushed out in torrents.


I do not know how long it lasted but when it was over I was left exhausted and weak. In the silence that followed I heard a small voice say, "My poor child, why don't you hand over your sorrow to me. Have you forgotten that I am a Man of Sorrows ? Let me remove those quills of sad memories and remind you of all the happy memories you have enjoyed. I promised to be with you. My presence will give you comfort". I felt the fresh anointing of God's loving spirit that day and it has never left me.







(True story - my story.)
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This article has been read 328 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Holly Westefeld
05/06/21
This article has great characteristics, an intriguing title, an excellent metaphor, and an inspiring testimony. Thank you for sharing.
Stephen Kimball
05/07/21
Good insight to keep in mind when my path crosses that man-eater.
Laura Manley
05/07/21
First of all, I am sorry for your pain, but without it you may never have received the gift of peace and joy in your life. Your entry read very smoothly, but the secretary in me noticed some issues. "Man -eater should have the hyphen snug between the two words. In I believe the third paragraph, the last word should be died, not dies. And your paragraphs need tightening. If you don't use a punctuation/grammar tool, you would be wise to do so. I loved the analogy of the quills in the animal's shoulder and the quills in your heart. Just a couple tweaks and you've got a beautiful work!
Sue Botte 
05/09/21
As Laura mentioned; just a couple of tweaks, some hyphenated words and the comma spacing, here and there. I enjoyed your article, Jesus is our Comforter.
Bea Edwards 
05/10/21
You crafted an interesting and excellent metaphorical entry.

I'm grateful God turned your pain toward Him rather than bitterness.

As was suggested, check and double check punctuation.


Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/12/21
You have a great story here. The first paragraph was a bit slow, but picked up when you began the retelling of the tiger story. You need a better transition from the tiger story to your story as it seemed a bit sudden, but you did an excellent job of making me feel so many emotions. You have a powerful clear message, and touched me in many ways.
Laura Manley
05/13/21
CONGRATULATIONS on your second-place win!
Penny Neimiller 
05/17/21
Your story was successful in relaying the message...was easy to relate to and offered the best advice and truth if the reader takes you up on it. Congratulations! and if this was about you, I'm so thankful you found your much needed comfort in Him...pain isn't anything we are meant to endure alone. Blessings Sister!
Janice Aylor
05/20/21
You wrote a beautiful story. I am glad you found peace in the Lord.