Imagine if the 'Circle of Life' was more of a spiral. A spiral has a beginning, and a spiral has an end.


oOo

Through the verdant forest, Wolf ran without rest.

He could not continue his flight much longer, for he was hungry, thirsty and tired. Wolf was very old; his eyes were rheumy, his joints were stiff. Yet Wolf bore the secret, and wanted to live to the very end before moving on. Pausing in a glade, he checked his back trail for a brief moment, then ran again -- but jaws in the ground caught Wolf and held his leg fast. A snare! It tore into his limb and blinded him with maddening pain.

Man followed Wolf, tracking his spoor and noting his movements. Wherever Wolf hid, Man was quick to find him and drove him further: onwards through the verdant forest, never to rest. Man was very young; his eyes were sharp and his limbs were powerful. Man knew the secret and he would live regardless of others. A cry of hurt echoed in the distance and Man knew Wolf was soon to be his. Man walked into the glade. He was patient, and as he was sated, content and rested.

Wolf watched Man approach and pulled his tail between his legs. Wolf bared the worn stumps of his old fangs and snarled as best he could through the curtain of pain that held him fast.

Go away! he howled. Go away -- but release me first, then let me be, for I am old and soon to move on. You do not know what you do, Man, for I am the First!

Man watched Wolf and smiled with his flat face. He listened to Wolf's plea. Man told Wolf that first is nothing. Wolf lay down, exhausted, and promised to explain, if Man would release him. Man agreed.

Man, Wolf said, you do not understand yet. For life moves through you, back and forward through every living being, yet Life is one. I, Wolf said, am First. First of all life. When I move on, Life will move into another. That may be in times past, that may be in days yet to come. Life may enter a great tree, or Life may become a lowly worm. Life may be a wolf, or Life may be a man. When that life moves on, Life will move to another. And then another. So on through time and so on through all living things. For I, Wolf said, am First. There was none before me and all others will follow me. Please let me move on in my time! Do not kill me! Understand that one day -- some day -- Life will move from me to you. I will be you, Man. You and I are one and the same. We are Life! Spare me now, for I am First!

Man listened to Wolf and sat on the ground beside him, head bowed.

Wolf, Man said, I hear you. You are First, the beginning of all life. Life will flow from you when you move on and Life will begin in another. Back and forth through time, Life will travel, and all creatures and beings will be the same Life, one Life, until the Last. I understand. Forgive me.

Wolf looked up at Man with hope and feebly moved his threadbare tail. Man, Wolf said, I feared that you would not understand, and I am wiser for knowing your wisdom is just. I am First, and I will pass in time. When I am you, I will see me as I now am. Please release me now, for I hurt.

Man stood and took his spear. He suddenly pierced Wolf's chest, stilling his heart. Wolf moved on, his leg still in the snare, his eyes open and wide, his mouth forever in a shriek of pain. Man pulled his spear from Wolf and knelt sadly, as with his hands he closed Wolf's open eyes.

Oh Wolf, said Man, you need not have explained for I knew of it since the womb. I recall every word you uttered, every thought in your mind, every pain you suffered. For Life always ends in pain and moves on.

Oh Wolf, wept Man, I knew this, for I am the Last.

oOo