Toe in the Water

Strange Animals

Strange Animals

We are strange creatures. Not content with having water to drink, we adulterate it with something to make it taste like something, or anything, else. Still unsatisfied, we infuse it with bubbles of carbon dioxide to further alter it, as though intent on transforming water into wine.

Plants go to enormous trouble inventing seedpods protected by substances intended to repel us with tastes that burn our mouths. What do we do? Decide we like the sensation and flavour foods with the very thing meant as a repellant.

Like all animals, we enjoy rest. But it’s not enough for us. To keep us interested while resting, we invent entertainment that shows us other people exerting themselves. Only the old do the sensible thing and fall asleep in front of the television.

We are strange animals.

Word count: 134