not a rabbit after all
Dec. 13th, 2004 10:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
adrian_turtleYou all know the story of the big race. In these modern days of multiculturalism and diversity, I'd almost forgotten how different we are. I learned a little Rabbit in school. My sweetie calls me "[his] little bunny" when I freeze, and it's very gentle teasing.
This morning, I remembered that I am a turtle, and it is not the way of the world for turtles to "sprint." Walk 10 miles? Sure, no problem at all. Run all out for 100 yards? No. Hurts my ankle, my lungs, my head, my hand...generally does more damage than I consider worth it. It was frustrating to see my bus approaching, when I was coming from the opposite direction. (I was taking a later bus than usual, anyhow, having just spent more than half an hour at the post office.) So I ran as fast as I could to the bus stop, getting there just as the driver closed the doors. I waved and shouted, "Hey, wait!" but he pulled away anyhow. I stood there for a moment, catching my breath and waving my arms foolishly on the sidewalk. Then I ran back the way I'd come, trying to catch the bus when it stopped at the corner. It's not a proper stop, but the bus has to stop there for a long red light before turning right. I hoped to get on, but the driver wouldn't open the door for me. So I had to wait another 30 minutes for the next bus. There are a lot of drivers who would have let me on (though I know they don't have to, according to their rules, and I don't have any cause for complaint. I'm just grumpy about it.)
This morning, I remembered that I am a turtle, and it is not the way of the world for turtles to "sprint." Walk 10 miles? Sure, no problem at all. Run all out for 100 yards? No. Hurts my ankle, my lungs, my head, my hand...generally does more damage than I consider worth it. It was frustrating to see my bus approaching, when I was coming from the opposite direction. (I was taking a later bus than usual, anyhow, having just spent more than half an hour at the post office.) So I ran as fast as I could to the bus stop, getting there just as the driver closed the doors. I waved and shouted, "Hey, wait!" but he pulled away anyhow. I stood there for a moment, catching my breath and waving my arms foolishly on the sidewalk. Then I ran back the way I'd come, trying to catch the bus when it stopped at the corner. It's not a proper stop, but the bus has to stop there for a long red light before turning right. I hoped to get on, but the driver wouldn't open the door for me. So I had to wait another 30 minutes for the next bus. There are a lot of drivers who would have let me on (though I know they don't have to, according to their rules, and I don't have any cause for complaint. I'm just grumpy about it.)
