Symbols and Illuminations on a Writer’s Journey- Chapter 4

The Laugh of the Hyena

Introduction:

I was now walking in the forest when I suddenly lost my footing and slipped down the steep side of a cliff into an open pit. I could hear the sound of laughter and it seemed to be coming at me from all directions. My heart was racing, the insane laughter was getting closer and closer.

My body shook violently and I opened my eyes from my deep sleep to discover that it was still night and I was surrounded by a pack of hyenas. They were laughing at me. I was going to be their next meal. The maniacal laughter continued as the leader of the pack started to circle me getting ready to attack her prey. The woods were dark and it would be useless for me to cry out for help.

The fire I had lit had now burned out. I could see the outlines of these ferocious beasts in the pale moonlight, under a starry sky. The eyes of the hyenas were intense as they tried to judge my vulnerability. I had to offer resistance. I reached for a large wooden branch and started to threaten the pack with it. It was not of much use, as the leader was bolder than the rest. They kept communicating in their growls which sounded like laughter to me. I suddenly saw a fire in the distance, “Help! Help! Help!”, I screamed in desperation.

Symbol: Hyena 🐺

The symbol of the Hyena is used in this part of my writer’s journey to highlight the power of an animal in a story.

Random Thoughts: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Hyenas symbolize ferocity, stamina, cleverness, and escapism. The hyenas seem to laugh, but it is actually the sound of them communicating when hunting and feeding on their prey.

There are people who have the hyena totem. This refers to the spirit animal some people identify in their beliefs. A person with a hyena totem is usually a community-minded person and one who is willing to invest in his or her community, knowing that they will receive more community assistance in return.

People with hyena totems are also opportunists. They will pick up the failed projects of others and make them into successful enterprises. These people are generally influential, vengeful, and powerful.

Signpost: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

As a signpost, the symbol of a hyena should make every writer more community-minded. It is by offering support and encouragement to other writers in the community, and through reciprocation can they hope to receive support and encouragement.

Sexy Thoughts:🐺🐺

The hyena was on the prowl that starry night, but it was not for food, it was for that female hyena that he had seen so many moons ago. The hyena was on the right track and knew that he would find the female he was looking for that fateful night. Those two hyenas had a lot of places to go and a lot of things that they needed to do that night. Would the hyena find his mate?

Crime Scene: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

The body of a young man was found in a pit full of hyenas in the city zoo. How did the body get there and was he murdered and dropped into the pit? The hyenas were the only witnesses and they were not talking. All they did was laugh as they tampered with the crime scene.

He was a strange man. People kept away from him. He was a killer and he stalked his prey like a hyena, getting to know their habits, strengths, and their weaknesses. He was more dangerous than he looked, he was a hyena in sheep’s clothing.

Humor Mind:🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Jim loved to take his new dog on a leash around the neighborhood every evening. Being partially blind he saw a stray dog one day and brought him home. The animal was injured and he tended to it and nursed it back to health. The laughter of the dog gave him a few sleepless nights. He was now used to the crazy laughter but he was sure that his neighbors were not amused. The neighbors thought that Jim had lost his marbles when they saw him taking out a hyena on a leash every morning.

Mystery Eyes:🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Alice looked out of her kitchen window which overlooked her garden. She was sure that she was being watched. The eyes looking at her were that of an animal, she was sure. Within a few minutes, the elderly lady noticed that there were more eyes looking at her through the darkness. Were they going to attack her at home? Alice had heard about the dangerous hyenas that had escaped the nearby zoo and it was a matter of time before they came for her. Suddenly, Alice heard a knock on the door, she stiffened in fright.

Poetically Speaking: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

Through the darkness of the night,

They hunt their prey with sheer delight.

The pack follows the leader’s call,

When they know she has her prey in sight,

The pack follows in all its ferocious might.

They know exactly where their quarry went,

Following it with their super sense of scent.

It is much easier to have a bigger feast,

When another killer has killed the beast.

The hyena pack went out that night,

To get fresh meat and a healthy bite.

The laugh of the hyena is the sound of doom,

For their prey, it is a nasty death and gloom.

Writer’s Insight: 🐺🐺🐺🐺

The use of animals is very important in stories. It highlights the inner strength of the protagonist as we create a dramatic portrayal of his external environment. Nature and animals can also represent the reflections of the inner feelings of the hero and the heroines of the story.

Create a new story where the animal is an important part and is instrumental in helping or hindering the protagonist in his or her quest.

At the End of the Day: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺

It is necessary for a writer to use materials and resources from all spheres of life for his or her writings. In this story, I have spoken about spirit animals and animal totems, it is a subject worth looking into. This does not mean that you need to believe but it is always good to do research on a variety of topics, to enrich the quality of your writings. I prefer to call this type of mindset the 360-degree way of writing and using the imagination.

Follow the Writer’s Way at the Link given below:

An Open Invitation to Writers and Readers to join me on this Writer’s Journey with its Symbols and Illuminations. ✍🏻 ✍🏾✍🏿 ✍🏻 ✍🏾✍🏿

Dr Mehmet Yildiz FILZA CHAUDHRY Amy Pierovich, Ed.D. Upasana Sharma Karen Madej Marine Dondy Jessica Holman Terry Mansfield Noorain Hassan, BMS Jade M. Rebecca Kojetin Orla Kenny Claire Kelly Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) Alberto García 🚀🚀🚀 Phil Truman Ann Marie Steele Dr. Preeti Singh Susannah MacKinnie Trisha Dunbar