Christmas Cooperatition Option one

What is a cooperatition? I hear you ask. Well I am not quite sure yet either,
I do know that there are no losers!
Everone wins!!
First prize is the JOY of taking part!!!


Here's how it goes... I'll start a story.
Anyone who wants to can send in their continuation.
There may be any number of continuations.
Anyone who wants to can continue on from any of the continuations.

ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY ?

GOOD!

THEN I WILL BEGIN.


There was once a supervisor of an immense National Park in Africa, who
was given the task of training new members of the 'Park Patrol'. On the
first day of instruction, he began his class by providing general
knowledge, which would build a firm foundation for later lessons. The
recruits received basic information for patrolling and protecting both
the human and the animal populations of the region. He then imparted
specific instruction by saying:

"Whether you are in the jungle or on the grasslands, success depends
largely on your sense of hearing. Be alert to various sounds at all
times. Listen as if there is something there, you do not as yet see."

He then went on to explain his advice:

"Become aware of the sound of an approaching storm... of the growl of a
dangerous animal. Also notice friendly sounds, including the trickle of
an unseen stream, or the call of a rare bird we may be seeking.
Alertness to the sounds around you can prevent problems from arising,
also it guarantees your own safety wherever you patrol."

That evening, after supper they sat around a camp fire, gradually the
chatter (from the recruits and the jungle creatures) settled down and
they sat in the growing silence, gazing into the flames. And out of that
silence, very gently came the voice of the supervisor:

"One of the ways we learn, is by listening to, and by telling stories....
Listening...
and being listened to....
And we all have stories to tell....
Some of the stories are true...
Some are fiction....
Some are truth disguised as fiction...
Some are fiction disguised as truth...
Many fall somewhere in between.

I am going to start a Story...
When I fall silent, any one of you can pick up the thread and continue
the story in any way that you want... There is no right or wrong way.
But don't make your contributions too long or too often,
let the others have a fair go.

NOW

Listen with your eyes...
Listen with your nose...
Listen with your fingers...
Listen with your toes..
"Listen as if there is something there, you do not as yet see"...

There was once a community of porcupines who lived in a cold country.
In order to escape the wintry weather, they agreed upon a plan of action.
On the next particularly cold day, they came together and huddled as
closely as possible. At first it looked like an ideal arrangement, but a
problem soon arose. Their very closeness caused them to poke each other
with their sharp quills, making everyone pained and irritated. So the
plan was cancelled, with each porcupine going their own separate way.
But the cold was so distressing, that they were forced to meet and
huddle once more, and once more they poked and injured each other. So
because at that time, they knew of no other way, the confused porcupines
repeated over and over, the painful pattern of huddling,stabbing,
dispersing and huddling once more."

And the supervisor fell silent and waited,

to see who would

PICK UP THE THREAD.