Tuesday, June 22, 2021

What Is Your Mascot/Avatar/Spirit Animal?

 

Paraphrasing question #23 on the same list of better questions to ask a writer,  I decided to have fun today. I mean, the question itself echoes the infamous Barbara Walters school of interview standards, “if you were a tree, what tree would you be” silliness. (It should also make anyone question if the list labeled “better questions” merits this title)

 

But you know what? Be we as children if we deem to write for young spirits.

 Let’s play. I go first.

So what animal would I be?

 🐺🐯🐮🐨🐫🐴🐼🐰🐋🐭🐶🐱🐦

 

Could you guess?

 👀

A decent guess, knowing me even a wee bit, would suggest a feline of some sort.

 That would be wrong.

 I admire felines. I am in awe of their beauty and grace. They are far-away, god-like beings. So aspirational as to not even be my aspirational avatar.

I am no such thing.

😞

 For me, this one does it:


The giraffe is a peaceful animal who manages to stay above the fray. Giraffes have a great perspective, having been graced with the anatomical advantage of a perennial outsider, seeing more of the whole picture, not tangled in the weeds below. And unlike birds, Giraffes do this with their feet firmly planted on the ground.

That is what I aspire to. 


DD even drew one for me when she was four-years-old:




Do share yours, if you dare to play. Like the giraffe, I may bat my long lashes. But I won't judge you.


7 comments:

Vijaya said...

A Giraffe--How unexpected and beautiful! I've always felt like a cat so I would choose that. But even this feline at times feels like a turtle--slow, steady, grounded.

Katie L. Carroll said...

Yes, giraffe feels just right for you. I'm going with crow for myself. Clever, good memories, loyal once you've earned it, and adaptable.

Kelly Hashway said...

I love your answer. I’ve always admired birds for their ability to fly.

Janie Junebug said...

I'm a dog. What else could I be? I have to fit in with Franklin and Penelope.

Love,
Janie

MirkaK said...

Gosh, there are so many animals I admire. I remember seeing giraffes in southern Africa and marveling at them. Yes, their gentleness and lack of predation. But I'm a sucker for almost any adorable baby critter (probably not bats!). Birds are incredible, flying thousands of miles annually in their migration. So are whales--I see them going north or south, depending on the time of year, while I'm at the kitchen sink sometimes. Baby seals are called pups because they act like puppies, and I've seen them being born. Oh, well. I can't decide!

Barbara Etlin said...

Well, if you were to visit my condo, you might notice the 300 or so owls, so that is a hint. Also the name of my publishing company Deco Owl Press, is another hint. Owls are mysterious, usually prefer night to day, symbolize books, reading and wisdom. (Athena's owl, Bubo, is on an ancient Greek coin.)

Mirka Breen said...

I was in fact thinking of you when I wrote the post, Barbara. WOOT-HOOT!