Intro: Pounding bass note and a stirring fanfare of horns. Welcome to another edition of Things to Think about. Here's Stacy. The horns continue with a keyboard note held.
Relaxing piano music is in the background.
Welcome to the Things to Think About podcast, where we use fables and fairy tales to come to deeper truths about our subconscious world. I'm Stacy Casson and today's story explores taking responsibility. Have you ever not wanted to make a decision and allow someone else to take the reins? We will delve into mental exhaustion in a tale I call, “Whatever”. And now, get comfortable and relax. Take a deep breath in. And exhale. A deep breath in and exhale. A deep breath in and exhale. And if you'd like, you can slowly close your eyes.
Once upon a time, there was a chameleon who lost their color. Kaju had once been a brilliant chameleon; pushing color to the limit of their skills to be seen. They were daringly bold and took hiding in plain site to ever more dangerous levels by contorting their body as well. That flower on the branch was probably Kaju trying out a yoga pose. They pushed and pushed thinking up more provocative color challenges. Rarely did they rest in their quest to be the most successful chameleon. The chameleon council tried to reign them in fearful that their more reckless displays would rile up the rest of the community. “Perhaps you should take a explore other territories” they gently suggested in no uncertain terms.
Kaju resented their shortsightedness and decided to disappear for a while. They went grey blending in the stones and travelled to find friendlier territory. Kaju went in search of Tetra to find out more about their lands. Tetra was an odd one amongst the community as they liked company from time to time unlike their most solitary compatriots. It was a long trek but finally they found the tranquil lands Tetra preferred to live in. “Greetings Kaju,” Tetra proclaimed. “I was on my way to the worm buffet, do you want to come with?” they invited. Kaju did not care about worms but figured they should eat something. “Sure, whatever you want,” Kaju replied and they set off together. The worms were of good quality and very fresh and for desert they had a choice between butterworms or blueberries. Kaju was eyeing the blueberries when Tetra asked the server about the butterworms. The server waxed poetic about the butterworms and offered it with a whipped silk moth topping. “Sounds good,” Tetra replied. The server asked Kaju what they wanted and Kaju shrugged, “I’ll have the same, plain.”
The next morning Tetra asked Kaju if they wanted to go to the ant bazaar. Kaju had slept poorly in the mossy spare cove Tetra offered and just wanted to lay about but instead replied, “Sure if you want to.” They explored the bazaar and Tetra shared their knowledge of the lands around the territory. “I like it here because there is an endless variety of trees and rocks and so many ponds. Not many chameleons come out here because it is so remote, but I like the quiet,” Tetra explained. Tetra was looking at warming stones. “Oh my gosh, these are so good, you just leave them in the sun with your leaves on top and when its bedtime, you sleep so good. Do you want to get one?” Kaju replied, “sure if you want to get one. Wait, I don’t want to have to lug it around. Maybe after I find a place to get settled.”
That evening, Tetra and Kaju ate leftovers and Tetra told Kaju they wanted to walk. “Sure, whatever you want” and joined Tetra on the walk. “Isn’t this place great?” Tetra queried. Kaju said, “the weather is nice today,” uncommittedly. “Do you want to check out the tongue bar? They usually have free samples.” Tetra urged. “Sure, whatever,” Kaju said. Tetra finally snapped. “Do you want to do anything? You have to make up your mind.” Kaju responded, “I just don’t want to think about anything.” Tetra retorted, “I get it but that’s not fair. You need to give a firm yes or no. I’m done. So what about the wacky water bar?” Kaju said, “Sure” and stopped. “Actually no. What I do want to see is the stretch bar.” They went to the stretch bar and Kaju hung upside down tentatively allowing some orange stripes onto their grey skin. “That looks really cool Kaju,” Tetra beamed. “Thanks, Tetra. I think I’ll head out tomorrow or whatever,” then deftly avoided being poked in the eye as it curled into a color coil.
It is easier sometimes to let someone else call the shots. When this happens do you find yourself compromising more than you would like? Is it worth doing things you don’t enjoy for the sake of ease? Are you the boss of you? And now you can take a deep breath in and exhale. A deep breath in and exhale. Deep breath in and exhale. And when you're ready, wiggle your toes. Wiggle your fingers and slowly open your eyes. If you're enjoying this podcast, please tell a friend.
Closing: Closing jazzy keyboard and thrumming bass. Hope you enjoyed today's segment. Tell a friend. See you next time. Music fades.
