Most of my encounters with animals have been the domestic kind. However I have a few stories under my belt, a few close encounters worth telling. Encounters with God’s creatures abound. We grow up knowing we share the land with animals- all kinds of critters and crazy creations from the hands of The Master Creator of all. Whether small or large, wild or domestic, you have encountered one of God’s creatures at some time in your life. If you like animals, you are in good company. The One who made them seems to have enjoyed creating them with great diversity and dare I say, divine imagination, from the beginning of time. Let’s explore the prompt that will lead us to to the wild side!
Prompt 14: Animal Encounters
I confess I am an animal lover. I think some of us just have more of an inclination to care about the tender things in this world. Especially if we’ve experienced any kind of trauma or abuse in our lives. I know for me this is true. It makes one a bit more sensitive to those creatures who are vulnerable, neglected or mistreated. Animal loving aside, we all have had experiences in our lives with animals. For many of us it is a pet or pets in childhood, or animals kept on a farm, For some of us, this included a zoo or the circus. Maybe you have encountered the majestic wonder of an animal in the wild. I have long desired to see the beautiful creatures while they still roam in Africa. I settle for Live Safari on WildEarth. I do love that show, but don’t catch it as much as I used to.
Either way, I encourage you today, to sit and write about your memories of animal encounters past or present. Or write about one animal encounter you have had in great detail.
A few more starts for your writing today:
I believe animals are…
I used to believe animals…
One of the funniest animal encounters I had…
One of the scariest animal encounters I had…
Write a poem about one of the BIG 5 Africa (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). Or any of the other amazing creatures that invite your imagination such as zebra, giraffe, aardvark, hyena, wild dog, honeybadger, impala. OR about any local wild animals. Here in Rhode Island that could be white-tail deer, coyote, fox, wild turkeys, bobcats, and osprey. Use your own imagination.
Write about one hard thing you witnessed representing the circle of life. Recall something from childhood, then maybe as an adult. Draw on the differences in your perceptions and insights, if you can. Write whatever comes to your mind either way.
When I imagine Noah’s Ark I think about…
List every kind of animal you have seen (and where).
God, I wonder what you were thinking when you created the…
Once I rescued a …
Write about any animal encounter you witnessed or were involved with that involved a rescue of an animal.
One tragic animal encounter that stayed with me…
Writer’s Tip: If something pops into your mind as you read the prompt, don’t worry about fitting your writing to the prompt, but instead write what is coming to your mind! Go with it!
Happy Journaling!
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Missed a prompt? Head here for all the prompts and the introduction post: Fall Into Journaling
Enthusiastically, Dawn 