I'm singing in the rain
Good morning from Moenchengladbach! It's raining cats and dogs, but I feel well - except for being a bit bored. I've already eaten my breakfast and done my usual morning nap, now I could do with a bit of entertainment. Yet that's lacking because of the rain.
You humans are somewhat odd. On the one hand I think you're rather clever. Because you have no fur to keep you warm, you dress in fabrics. That's pretty smart. And most of you are even brainy enough to get into fabrics with hoods if there's too much water from above (obviously you don't deal too well with rain). And you have these things you call "umbrellas" and you hold them over your heads so as not to get wet. Come to think of it, I'm always wondering: Is that something done by instinct or are you trained to do so in your childhood?
I do like umbrellas. Besides being cheerfully bright, they have such a funny effect on my friends, the horses. There are the two white males - Jana calls them "Lipizzans" - who swagger around like they are white lions. They only do this because they aren't performing in a group, but rather alone, showing what's called "High School dressage" - as if this were so special! (I could do that too if I wanted to. Yet in contrast to these pretenders, I'm smart enough not to want it). They jump like peas on a hot stove when they come around a corner and suddenly see an umbrella. That looks rather funny because the hands who are leading the Lipizzans are always hopping with them. And I like to watch a bit of action - especially if I'm lying about doing nothing.
As far as I'm concerned I'd like a lot of people with hoods and umbrellas around here. But I don't get them because you Humans don't dare going out in the rain. It's really amazing: On the one hand you are smart enough to provide yourself protection from the rain, on the other hand you nevertheless avoid going out. And if you do, you're complaining about the wetness.
I don't have anything against wetness. A lot of people think that cats would be afraid of water, but that is not true. Domestic cats are mostly rather hydrophobic, but lions (and by the way: Tigers, too) are rather fond of water. We're even, for the most part, good swimmers. On hot summer days I and my mates are always happy when our human builds up our pool and fills it with water. I love it when my human washes me, and when I'm in a good mood, I even let him shampoo my mane.
I don't even mind the rain. If I wanted to, I could easily go into my canopied bedroom. There are even infrared lamps to keep me warm. Nevertheless I prefer to stay outdoors, even when it's raining. My fur is thick enough to keep the water away from my skin - and I rather like a bit of rain on my nose . It tickles nicely.
As a philosopher among lions, I've of course mulled over why we - in contrast to domestic cats - are so fond of water. And I've found an explanation: Where we came from - the steppe - water is a blessing. It makes the steppe bloom, and the grass grow, and hence all inhabitants of the area are happy and content. The zebras and antelope thrive by getting enough food, and they needn't march far to the next waterhole; too much travel makes them lose weight, which I and my kin don't like. (Bony antelope are tough) In addition, our girls can easily hide in the high grass ,and so hunting becomes easier than when they have to walk through dust and barren soil. Even the tiresome, ugly hyenas find enough food at this time and therefore don't try to steal our prey.
Really, rain is good for lions - if it's not too much. If there's too much water, the steppe becomes all muddy and the nights are so cold and wet that our offspring suffer. That's no good at all. But light rain, filling the water holes and just wetting the soil, is fine.
But here, it's no good, because it keeps the visitors away. I don't understand it. Can't you take your umbrellas out and come here even if there's some water from above? I'm so bored and in need of some entertainment!
You humans are somewhat odd. On the one hand I think you're rather clever. Because you have no fur to keep you warm, you dress in fabrics. That's pretty smart. And most of you are even brainy enough to get into fabrics with hoods if there's too much water from above (obviously you don't deal too well with rain). And you have these things you call "umbrellas" and you hold them over your heads so as not to get wet. Come to think of it, I'm always wondering: Is that something done by instinct or are you trained to do so in your childhood?
I do like umbrellas. Besides being cheerfully bright, they have such a funny effect on my friends, the horses. There are the two white males - Jana calls them "Lipizzans" - who swagger around like they are white lions. They only do this because they aren't performing in a group, but rather alone, showing what's called "High School dressage" - as if this were so special! (I could do that too if I wanted to. Yet in contrast to these pretenders, I'm smart enough not to want it). They jump like peas on a hot stove when they come around a corner and suddenly see an umbrella. That looks rather funny because the hands who are leading the Lipizzans are always hopping with them. And I like to watch a bit of action - especially if I'm lying about doing nothing.
As far as I'm concerned I'd like a lot of people with hoods and umbrellas around here. But I don't get them because you Humans don't dare going out in the rain. It's really amazing: On the one hand you are smart enough to provide yourself protection from the rain, on the other hand you nevertheless avoid going out. And if you do, you're complaining about the wetness.
I don't have anything against wetness. A lot of people think that cats would be afraid of water, but that is not true. Domestic cats are mostly rather hydrophobic, but lions (and by the way: Tigers, too) are rather fond of water. We're even, for the most part, good swimmers. On hot summer days I and my mates are always happy when our human builds up our pool and fills it with water. I love it when my human washes me, and when I'm in a good mood, I even let him shampoo my mane.
I don't even mind the rain. If I wanted to, I could easily go into my canopied bedroom. There are even infrared lamps to keep me warm. Nevertheless I prefer to stay outdoors, even when it's raining. My fur is thick enough to keep the water away from my skin - and I rather like a bit of rain on my nose . It tickles nicely.
As a philosopher among lions, I've of course mulled over why we - in contrast to domestic cats - are so fond of water. And I've found an explanation: Where we came from - the steppe - water is a blessing. It makes the steppe bloom, and the grass grow, and hence all inhabitants of the area are happy and content. The zebras and antelope thrive by getting enough food, and they needn't march far to the next waterhole; too much travel makes them lose weight, which I and my kin don't like. (Bony antelope are tough) In addition, our girls can easily hide in the high grass ,and so hunting becomes easier than when they have to walk through dust and barren soil. Even the tiresome, ugly hyenas find enough food at this time and therefore don't try to steal our prey.
Really, rain is good for lions - if it's not too much. If there's too much water, the steppe becomes all muddy and the nights are so cold and wet that our offspring suffer. That's no good at all. But light rain, filling the water holes and just wetting the soil, is fine.
But here, it's no good, because it keeps the visitors away. I don't understand it. Can't you take your umbrellas out and come here even if there's some water from above? I'm so bored and in need of some entertainment!