Yummy

I am envious of Panda. They live such good lives.

(Pictures by Fred Zlotnick)

ChengDu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is essentially a zoo for only two species: Panda and Red Panda. I am, of course, saw many TV programs on this animal. But I did not realize how playful and, huh, contently lazy, they are. There were two cubs in a cage, they played with each other in a gentle way, rolling over each other, squeezing for toys or attention, and moving around casually. You just couldn’t hold back the smile watching them play.

One adult Panda came slowing toward us in a steady pace. Then, just like that, decided to lay down and take a quick nap. The crowd just burst into laughter. Then, obviously well rested, he proceeded to the destination: an area with a bunch of bamboo on the ground. Unexpectedly, as I thought all four-legged mammals would bow down to eat, he turned around and sat down. Human-like, he reached out and grab a bunch of bamboo, and started to garble those leaves like a kid would a chicken drumstick: holding it with a hand and never mind whatever dripping on the chest.

He was oblivious to those shutterbugs clicking and ate with such enjoyment that someone in the crowd said, “I am hungry.”

Done eating, he climbed up a platform nearby. He reached the top where there was a railing, put an arm over the railing, lied down, rest his head on that arm, and closed the eyes. “Awww…,” I want to snug up to him and take a nap.

Panda appeared to enjoy simple lives that all of us wish we could too: wake up, eat, nap, play around lazily, more naps, and repeat. Wouldn’t it be cool if we don’t need to worry all those complexity?

Oh, yes, I would have bamboo leaves for dinner please.