The Fast

“Hunger kills. One way or another.”, Han folded his arms and proclaimed.
“I’m not hungry.”, an eager Xi replied.
“Don’t fool yourself. You are hungry.”
“You may not believe it. But I’m really not dying.”
“You may not be dying but it kills.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It won’t till it does.”
“I feel fine. No suicidal thoughts. Unless you kill me, of course.”
“No. I wouldn’t”.
“Then someone else perhaps?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you insist that hunger will kill me.”
“Well, it does kill.”
“Kill what?”
“Hunger”
“How?”
“When you eat.”
Xi gulped.

Crying Tiger, Hidden Deer

Tiger races through the tall grass. Belly aches with hunger.
Deer escapes. Stands on trembling legs. Hides behind a big tree.
Tiger is angry. Sweats. Doesn’t have it anymore.
Deer sweats. Stoops to drink from the stream. Nibbles at the tall grass.
Tiger used to be strong and swift. Not anymore.
Deer’s breathing eases. Ears stay cocked.
Tiger remembers his youth. Its bounty.
Deer is young. Eye is calm.
Tiger whimpers. Jaw droops.
Deer just lays there. Quiet.