I’ll spare you the difference
Reference of Audio: Hear Me Roar — Ramin Djawadi
Not a part of a flock — I have set my sight a long time ago. I do not know the shepherd that leads the crowd into the fences. I do not see the world through the rotted wooden slit of the pen.
Let me tell you the tale; the boy that was raised by a lioness.
‘The lioness grew up without the king’s fang. She had known pain ever since she was little, as her father had left their den in search of comfort in another lair.
Thus, without an alpha, she did not know how to hunt. She did not know how to live in the vast and harsh savannah. All she knew was to be kind and loving — what was taught to her by her mother.
—
“Go away, you filth! Ask your loving father for some!”
Staring down at her on top of the hills, eyes glaring at her with disapproval; his words pierced her soul. She was hurt.
She had only asked to spare some leftovers of the hunt — she did what was asked of her. Her younger siblings had little to eat this week, and her mother asked her in search of an additional meal from the uncle.
Initially fearful, her emotions morphed into hate, then anger, and finally, a burning passion. In that moment, she understood the solitary nature of existence —
“Every Man for Himself.”
Each creature fending for itself, she realized she needed no mentor; her potential was limitless, waiting to be unleashed at the opportune moment.
“Fine.” She whispered under her breath.
She understands right there and then, that all creatures are alone in this world- every man for himself. She did not need any figure to teach her; the capabilities were limitless — only at the right moment could it be achieved at full potential.
Day after day, she observed the hunt, studying prey and admiring the fearlessness, confidence, agility, and precision of other lions — what else could she do, it was not like her father was there to pass down the lessons; no, she had to learn all of it on her own.
As the orange sun dipped down the horizon, she practiced in fury, trained with intensity, she was out for blood — for if she did not, the likelihood of failure in life was certain- it was an inevitable fate. But to make up for the possibility of failure, deep inside, the motivation was there; she understood the necessity of at least attempting.
Thus, fuelled by anger and determination, the lioness hunted. Little by little, she was well known, as she was a force of nature, recognized for her beauty and unwavering resolve. What she provided for her family was abundant, motivated by the fire that burned within her veins.’
I was the boy that was raised by a lioness.
She taught me perseverance and resilience in a great time of struggle. She told me to have a sharp eye and a sharper action — for dependency on someone is a sign of weakness.
“Never beg and ask — you will not be that kind of individual. You will either take or give. When you get what you want — so be it, it was yours to keep in the first place because you fought for it.”
Perhaps this is what leads me to my undying loyalty to the things I do, to pursue the most even when the end is nigh. I became a force of nature despite the lack of knowledge, the limited time I possessed, and the inability to blend in like the rest of the crowd.
I was not meant for the throne — but that doesn’t mean I can’t reach it. Specifically, because I knew it was not for me, I dug my claws in just enough to make a statement.
When we are all bloodied, battered, and beaten — most of us give up and stay down, but lions do not fear blood. It meant that I was getting close enough to the prey, to strike him down once and for all.
So, when you told me, “He is alike to you”,
“I’ll spare you the difference.” I spoke.
He was raised by those whose fire has been long gone; there are oceans between us — the main difference between us is when people tell me I am not enough — I don’t go around and complain about it. The comments filled me with rage. The rage turned into passion, a passion to prove them wrong, just as the lioness did.
“Now, can he say the same?”
19:41–18th of April 2024
