Oh, to be young, carefree and able to charm trainers

I often wonder if I was born an animal, what kind would I be? Then, while watching the news recently, I caught sight of the Angora rabbit, a furry creature that appears to be like a cushion or a brush.

The Angora had its eyes covered by hair but it was calm and leisurely. As a fat animal that does nothing but eat and sleep, the Angora enjoys the attention of the world's media. How wonderful it is to be an Angora!

Since I'm nothing like an Angora, I set about looking for someone who is - and I settled on my colleague Xiao Wu. Tall and handsome, he radiates youthful hormones. After downing two big bowls of rice and more dishes at lunch, he still claims to be hungry early in the afternoon. It's amazing how he remains fit after eating so much.

For him, "hungry", "happy" and "let it be" are essential maxims. Every day, he works happily and reads the sports pages.

He doesn't seem to notice impending crises or the need for self-improvement. All he cares about is food and the tender gender.

As he munches on hamburgers and shakes his legs, it reminds me of a fine steed foraging noisily behind me. Compared to him, I am like a bowl of flat instant noodles with too much dried beef.

Noticing that I had put on a little weight, Xiao Wu invited me to work out. Soon, a pretty trainer named Xiao Wang approached us with a big smile. Terrible! I thought, she must be thinking how much money can she make from us.

I am careful with money and cannot bear to lose face in public, so I made for the bathroom.

Xiao Wu stayed behind, grinning like a steed waiting for its tamer. When I returned, they were chatting and laughing.

On our way back, I asked Xiao Wu if he had spent much money.

"No, we just talked. She asked me if I often went there. I said no, but I will frequent the place in the future."

"Did she recommend all sorts of training sessions?"

"She did. But I said I have no money. Then she said she could give me an 'experience card' free of charge."

"That's a trick! When you've started training she'll ask you to pay for more sessions. Won't you feel too embarrassed to refuse?"

"Why should I be embarrassed? I don't have money. Why think so much? She's offered a free try, so I'll try it."

"It seems like you only think one step ahead."

"Why not? Won't I be tired if I think two or three steps ahead? I'll have walked seven steps while you are still looking ahead."

I really envy this kind of thinking. Xiao Wu never abides by hypocritical rules and he lives a content life. It doesn't matter if a gallant steed runs into any trouble. It just shakes its mane and goes on eating the grass, until the trouble simply goes away.

(China Daily 01/29/2008 page20)