Metaphoric Teaching

           The fall, with its vibrant colors, changed the way the forest appeared. This season the leaves were heavier, the grass wetter, and the branches thicker. The autumn rains quickly penetrated the leaves which fell upon the cubs that played naively under the bare branches. The cubs tumbled and explored without concern for the passing time. Each day was a constant battle for the mother wolf, who in her years had experienced many seasons and knew that the time was now to learn the ways of survival. She wanted so desperately to show the cubs how to prepare for the future but they were so blinded by present circumstance that they could not see their mother’s intentions. I am that mother wolf.

            I care so much about my cubs; about their past, present, and most especially about their future. Somewhere inside of me is the innate sense that I am responsible to raise these cubs to function in a demanding environment. As the weeks press on, several cubs have caught on to the fact that I am trying to accomplish a great work and have assisted my efforts by encouraging the other, more unruly, cubs. However different the cubs are though, I have found each one holds a special place in my heart and I never feel at ease if one is missing. We are a close pack and one cub’s absence is definitely noticed. How do mothers go on knowing that one day they will have to let go of their cubs?

            There is so much a mother wolf thinks about throughout a day. Foremost, is always her cubs’ happiness and safety. How can I remove all the scars and show them this season is new? Similar to past seasons perhaps, but full of possibilities too. I want to show them that even though bad things happen, there is still joy to be found. I want to open their eyes to all the magical parts to life. Unfortunately this season has brought its pain as well. What I wouldn’t do to take back all the words they’ve heard and actions they’ve seen that will be marks on their memory for years to come.

            There are days though, that cubs take advantage of my good will and optimism. And so I have learned that sometimes mothers need to bite; to clamp down on the extra folds of skin and redirect. Mothers need to be firm but fair – always willing to listen and at times slow to react. Poor decisions need not to be overlooked, especially when they affect the welfare of the entire pack. To reprimand with consistency is the key to morphing wayward behavior.

            Once in awhile a mother has to choose her battles. Some tiffs should be overlooked in order to establish personal problem solving skills. I can not prevent all misfortunes in life but I can hope that through trials they will establish skills to settle disagreements, hurt feelings, or frustration. It’s vital to their survival that I equip them with the necessary strategies to tackle life head on. They need to know that some risks are worth taking. So as the mother wolf my goal has, is, and will be to teach them everything they will need in order to enter the forest and stand alone amidst the changing seasons, falling leaves, strong trees, and whipping winds. I aim to build within each cub a moral compass and ensure that by the time they venture from my den that they have built healthy habits that will allow them to take on the forest with all the majesty a grown wolf would possess.