THE BUFFALO AND THE FLY

From humble beginnings come great things. Don't forget to look back.

The Buffalo and the Fly

A hollow-eyed water buffalo
slowly navigates through quagmire
of marshy thickets and dense forest.

After crossing over many deep  
treacherous waters; swimming

across muddy ostentatious rivers.

The buffalo asked the fly
who safely and comfortably

sit on his back.

Where else he could take him,
including looking back ...

by Neil Aranda 05/05/16

Author's Note

The water buffalo is a beast of burden and a symbol of Philippine modest lifestyle, fortitude and sacrifice.

Reviews

[Dhaye]

*asks...sits (to be parallel with *navigates)

In our tradition, a "fly on carabao's back" is someone who's boastful and ungrateful (for not looking back from where he's been).
Nice symbolism.

[gabrielle]

The ways of the carabao or water buffalo describe best the value of hardwork and diligence. Such gentle creatures may be slow or ugly looking but they help us achieve our dreams. To me, the fly represents us or those who benefited from the works of the carabao. Nice symbolism, neil

[NeiL ArandA]

The water buffalo is known to Filipino culture as the beast of burden and a symbol of their modest lifestyle, fortitude and sacrifice. You surely captured my thoughts. Thanks Gab for reading this. Glad that you as well is still around. It always a pleasure to see your thoughts always grazing my piece. Have a bless day.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

that fly on my shoulder always has me looking back...i like "back" better than forward...

this is a cute story, yet has such deeper meaning...

j.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Jacob for reading this. My writing and time here has taken a tremendous backseat. I am glad to see and know that you are still around.