The ten commandments According to Fox

[nyyki]

Okay, a friend, Flaming Sword, read to me the ten commandments according to Coyote. This

inspired me to write the ten commandments according to Fox

1)  You can bullshit anyone you want to, but don't try to bullshit me, and never try to

bullshit yourself. Blowing smoke up your own ass is not only wasteful, it's also pretty self

delusional, and you're going to regret it when you have to face  the truth. Smile at your

own press, but don't believe it.

2) Bears are bigger than you. You are faster than the bears. You're also smaller. Know your

limitations, use your advantages, be wary of overconfidence. On a similar note, Bears are

better at getting honey than you are. You can catch rabbits, while they usually can't. We

each have a place in nature, and it's best to find that place and use it to your advantage.

Also remember that you're light enough to walk on ice, that bear is not.
And while we're discussing roles and limitations, when you find a mate, and you have kits,

get the hell out of her way. She knows what she's doing, and you're just going to get in the

way. And for you vixens, kick him out of the way when he tries to get in the way of your

work. You both have jobs, and you know what to do, so get to it, and don't slow each other

down.
3) Live Free. Captivity is for dogs. Understand that living free carries some risk, and very

little security, but you will learn to use your wits that way. change is a natural part of

the way of nature, and being flexible enough to handle that change is how you will survive

while others won't. Know when to stay, and definitely know when to leave. Don't expect me to

tell you, as I have more important things to do.

4) Sometimes you have to hide. It's up to you when you decide to lose your cover, and if you

do it at the wrong time, I'm just going to look at you and shake my head. Your cleverness is

a tool, and an advantage. Use it.

5) Remember strong allies. Badgers will allow you to share their den as long as you're clean

and respectful, and they are tough and ornery. Plus, no one will expect you to be in a

badger hole with a badger. Friends that complement your weaknesses are good friends to have.

But don't forget that they have weaknesses, too, and they are probably different from yours.

Don't expect Badger to folow you through hollow logs and race across open fields like you

can. But also remember that when the day ends, you're not better than anyone else, just

different. Don't waste time judging others, as they are probably just as good as you, and

maybe even better because they are smart enough not to waste time trying to establish some

stupid pecking order.

6) Food is food. When you find it, eat it, don't wait for something better to come along.

Don't whine to me if you are starving after passing something up, because it's your own

fault. Plus, I probably ate what you left anyway. It's up to you to take care of your needs,

and passing up what you need is not clever, it's stupid.

7) Rely on yourself whenever possible. Other people may have good intentions, but sometimes

they don't watch too carefully for the dogs. If you get caught in a trap, it's up to you to

gnaw your own leg off. No one else is going to do it, and I'm sure as hell not coming down

there into trap enfested areas to help you out. You're the idiot who wasn't watching where

you were walking in the first place, so deal with it and get yourself out of the trap. Don't

start crying for your vixen or fox, as it is not their job to help you -- they raised you

and as such, they've finished their job. And while we're at it, it's up to you to get rid of

your fleas. You know where the stream is, and where to find a stick, and you know how to

swim, so stop trying to get someone else to take care of it for you and get to swimming.

They're your fleas, not theirs. You deal with it.

8) When you find something you want that someone else has a claim on, it's up to you to

decide whether it's worth the effort. If you make an enemy, that's your enemy, not mine, and

I'm notgoing to do anything except look at you like you're an idiot if you can't handle your

foes. No matter how good eggs taste, or for that matter, chickens, a farmer with a gun and

traps might be more than you can handle. Use your brain whenever possible instead of your

back, and find ways to get what you want with minimum risk. And while we're talking about

enemies, when your enemies outtnumber you, it's time to go elsewhere. Standing and fighting

is just stupid, and at best you're going to get your tail bitten off, and that's only if

you're very lucky, because you're not meaner than all those dogs, and they know they're

bigger than you. Know when to run, know when to hide, and know when to head for badger's

hole.

9) Take your time planning your actions, and when you initiate a clever plan, make it your

best work. Laziness is deplorable, but conceptual laziness is inexcusable. If you're going

to follow me and not put in the effort to think through your plans and use your brain, you

might as well be following dog or some other creature. Make every plan one you can be proud

of, so that no one, not even the dogs, can say that you were just lucky. Stun them with your

skill, instead of relying on luck to get you through.

10) There are people and creatures out there that will not be your friend, and this has

absolutely nothing to do with you.  It's something about them. You didn't do anything to

that hunter that wants your pelt as a trophy. So don't waste time taking their crap

personally, just get away from them and let them deal with their own garbage. While we're

discussing this, just because you eat the chicken doesn't mean you hate the chicken, or the

farmer, or the rooster. It's just you doing what you have to do to survive. Don't let a

bunch of agendas and drama infest your thinking, as it distracts you. And don't expect me to

buy into your drama and head games, because It's your crap, and I'm going to take my own

advice here and not get involved in your Bullshit.