Under Shadows of Totems

I was in a grove of hardy trees, climbing a natural earth crossing over a river in an arid grassland. There was water falling nearby, which I supposed was the river descending from the distant mountains.

As I explored the landscape, I spotted a lion in the distance, bounding between the boulders. It was an awesome, terrible sight.

I attempted to hide myself behind a twisted old cedar, but the lion was fast approaching, and it appeared to have caught my scent. I peered fearfully out. The look on the lion’s face indicated that it was ready to fight and feed.

On it came, approaching quickly, and I attempted to flee, though we both knew I was entirely helpless.

However, as the lion prepared to pounce, at that critical moment, an enormous spider dropped in front of the violent creature from somewhere out of sight. It reared onto its back legs and hissed, its fangs dripping. The sound of it sent shivers throughout my body.

The lion roared its response, and prowled about the spider with its head down, seeking out a gap in its defenses. It lunged, and the spider slammed down its legs, sending the lion shrinking back again.

The spider stood its ground as the lion repeatedly attempted to attack. It appeared they were evenly matched. With the spider between my predator and I, I seized the opportunity to find more appropriate shelter. The sound of their battle filled my ears as I ran- the roar of the lion, the hiss of the spider, and the booming sound as the arachnid slammed its forelegs onto the ground.

Once I was out of immediate danger, I reflected. I had conflicted emotions about leaving- I felt grateful to the spider for defending me, since it had done so of its own accord. I was not aware it existed at all. Yet, I also felt guilty for abandoning him to the lion.

Of course, I knew there was nothing I could have done. I was so small beneath the two of them, so weak, so fragile. Their shadows swallowed me whole.