He was so close—yet so far.
There, mere steps in front of him, was the monstrous creature who had killed his family. The beast who had mauled children before their parents’ eyes, ripped every man and woman to shreds, trampled an entire village with no mercy. This ruthless being had destroyed their home, and now the man and his small band of hunting partners were face to face with the reprehensible creature at last. Not only would they extract their revenge, but they would have a proper meal for the first time in weeks. The beast charged ahead, and the man pursued. He could get his revenge. He could help their souls be at peace. He just needed to throw his spear.
The mammoth charged away, but he did not fear death. He simply wanted to die somewhere else, not in this lonesome place. It was for this reason he had come out of hiding, emerged from the woods and allowed the hunters to see him, to follow. He knew they were, like he had been, driven by rage and that they would not stop. It was precisely for this reason he hoped they would follow him right into the cave. The cave where the bones of his family lay still and solemn. The bones which had been picked clean by these very men. He once was vengeful; now, however, he merely wished for death to come and for his bones to lie beside theirs in the cave. He just had to get there. The cave came into view. The mammoth charged ahead, and the hunters pursued. He could die in peace. He could die with them. He just needed to reach his cave.
The man threw his spear. There was hatred in his heart and his aim was true. The beast fell.
The mammoth felt his spear. There was sadness in his heart and his loneliness was palpable. The animal fell. He fell a stone’s throw away from the cave.
He was so close—yet so far.