This is easy.

I’m a lion, because I love to just be…

Lion interrupts.

“Are you serious? Lions are predators extraordinaire. Need I say more?”

Okay, okay. Ease up with the RAWR.

Alright, I’ve got it. I’m a turtle because I like to go slow and steady…

Turtle interrupts.

“Are you serious? Your thoughts fly at the speed of light.”

Okay, sheesh. That doesn’t mean I can’t slow down.

Turtle rolls his eyes and moseys slowly down the road.

Fine.

I know what I am. I’m an elephant. I’m loyal and I love my family.

Elephant interrupts.

“Are you serious? You like your alone time too much. But you can come play with us anytime you want.”

We giggle and set a future date.

Oh wait. I know.

I’m a horse. I have a long horse head and a free spirit.

Horse interrupts.

“Are you serious? You’re far too clumsy to be a horse.”

Well… maybe.

Then suddenly an otter pops up out of the water, floating on his back.

“I bet I know what you’re going to say next,” he chuckles.

“Oh?” I say.

“You think you’re an otter because we’re playful.”

Actually… yes.

The otter laughs.

“Are you serious? You analyze fun before you have it.”

Well. That seems unnecessarily accurate.

I sit down, discouraged.

I’m not strong enough to be a lion. Not slow enough to be a turtle. Too solitary to be a cool elephant. Too clumsy to be a horse. Too serious to be an otter.

Lion pffts from the side. Nothing is as cool as a lion.

The otter floats over and gives my shoulder a small splash.

“Hey,” he says. “You’re still invited to play.”

I smile a little, but I’m still not convinced.

So what am I?

Just then, a wise owl looks down from the tree and interrupts.

“You may not be as strong as a lion, but you do have fierce moments. You may not be as majestic as a horse, but sometimes you are a sight to behold. You may not move as slowly and methodically as a turtle, but you flow in your own beautiful way.”

“You, my silly friend, are trying to be things you can never be. Why not be the kind of animal that has its own coolness?”

I sit up, excited with anticipation.

Will he say I’m a dog? A fox?

The owl looks at me calmly.

“You are an animal like us,” he says.

Then he tilts his head.

“But you are the human kind.”

I nod thoughtfully.

Feeling rather enlightened, I turn to head home.

On the way, I trip over a thick patch of air.

Yep. Definitely human.