Chris the Cactus
October, 2015
Once there was a cactus named Chris. Chris was a resident at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. If you were to ask Chris, they would tell you they were the luckiest cactus ever.
Well, you might think it was because of the beautiful view or all the animals who live at the museum.
You might think it is because Chris the Cactus was more than 100 years old.
Or perhaps because Chris the Cactus stood taller than almost any plant including the trees.
No, Chris would never consider these facts to be of any importance or worthy of note. Chris the cactus would tell you that they are lucky because they never felt a thing.
Chris stood there for more than 100 years without pain, without loss without fear. Yes, Chris the Cactus believes themselves lucky- you tell me what you think.
One day Chris the Cactus had had a long day in the hot Tucson sun. 120 degrees in the shade. And as the sun went down and the air cooled, the most beautiful sunset in the history of the earth appeared that night.
Now you tell me, how would you feel if you saw the most beautiful sunset in the history of the world?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they saw it they looked away and decided to snooze. Chris the cactus could have felt joy, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt joy then they’d have joy to lose.
One day Chris the Cactus overheard a family at the museum bantering and laughing and exploring. Then, the youngest, a child of seven years old, told the funniest joke that has ever been told. A joke so amazing that you might fall to the ground laughing.
Now you tell me, how would you feel if you heard the funniest joke that has ever been told?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they heard it they covered their ears with their giant saguaro arms so they couldn’t hear. Chris the cactus could have felt tickled, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt tickled then they’d have tickled to lose.
After many years of life, Chris the Cactus had become home to all kinds of creatures. From spiders to birds to scorpions and ants, the water in Chris veins made a perfect place for each of them to feel safe. Now each of these creatures grew to love their new home. To love the great Cactus called Chris. They loved them beyond all things and took care of their home better than any creatures that had ever lived.
Now you tell me, if you shared a home with so many creatures who loved you, how would you feel?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they felt an inkling of love, they grew gruff and tough and shut down their heart. Chris the cactus could have felt love, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt love then they’d have love to lose.
And so Chris the Cactus stands today. On a hot Tucson day you can hear them say- “I’m the luckiest of cactus in the history of the world.”
Chris has stood there for more than 100 years without pain, without loss, and without fear. Yes, Chris the Cactus believes themselves lucky- you tell me what you think.
Well, you might think it was because of the beautiful view or all the animals who live at the museum.
You might think it is because Chris the Cactus was more than 100 years old.
Or perhaps because Chris the Cactus stood taller than almost any plant including the trees.
No, Chris would never consider these facts to be of any importance or worthy of note. Chris the cactus would tell you that they are lucky because they never felt a thing.
Chris stood there for more than 100 years without pain, without loss without fear. Yes, Chris the Cactus believes themselves lucky- you tell me what you think.
One day Chris the Cactus had had a long day in the hot Tucson sun. 120 degrees in the shade. And as the sun went down and the air cooled, the most beautiful sunset in the history of the earth appeared that night.
Now you tell me, how would you feel if you saw the most beautiful sunset in the history of the world?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they saw it they looked away and decided to snooze. Chris the cactus could have felt joy, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt joy then they’d have joy to lose.
One day Chris the Cactus overheard a family at the museum bantering and laughing and exploring. Then, the youngest, a child of seven years old, told the funniest joke that has ever been told. A joke so amazing that you might fall to the ground laughing.
Now you tell me, how would you feel if you heard the funniest joke that has ever been told?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they heard it they covered their ears with their giant saguaro arms so they couldn’t hear. Chris the cactus could have felt tickled, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt tickled then they’d have tickled to lose.
After many years of life, Chris the Cactus had become home to all kinds of creatures. From spiders to birds to scorpions and ants, the water in Chris veins made a perfect place for each of them to feel safe. Now each of these creatures grew to love their new home. To love the great Cactus called Chris. They loved them beyond all things and took care of their home better than any creatures that had ever lived.
Now you tell me, if you shared a home with so many creatures who loved you, how would you feel?
**pause and listen to answers**
Well Chris the Cactus didn’t feel a thing. The minute they felt an inkling of love, they grew gruff and tough and shut down their heart. Chris the cactus could have felt love, it would have been a good thing to choose, but if they felt love then they’d have love to lose.
And so Chris the Cactus stands today. On a hot Tucson day you can hear them say- “I’m the luckiest of cactus in the history of the world.”
Chris has stood there for more than 100 years without pain, without loss, and without fear. Yes, Chris the Cactus believes themselves lucky- you tell me what you think.