“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.”

– Maya Angelou

I read the saddest story the other day, about a young tigress who was presented to President Eisenhower when she was still just a cub. Her name was Mohini, meaning ‘enchantress’ – and, she was considered one of the rarest white tigers in all the world. Her lineage was mostly unknown, though it is presumed that she was descendant of Mohan, who was captured as a cub by the Maharaja of Rewa.

She was gifted, in part, due to her uniqueness of color – as one reporter described, “her black stripes fading to brown, against a coat of eggshell white.” She was intended to serve as a symbol of loyalty, and offer hope to the children of America.

Sadly, she was immediately confined to a 12 by 12 foot cement enclosure at the Washington DC National Zoo. Oh, how foolish we were to think that hope could be caged.

Mohini spent many of her days pacing anxiously back and forth, until one day – when caretakers were finally able to provide her a much more suitable location.

Covering several acres, the new habitat boasted acres upon acres of rolling hills, magnificent shade trees – and even a small pond. Everything, they presumed, a tiger of such regal stature might wish.

On the day of her ‘release’, crowds gathered from all around; both young and old waiting with bated breath, excited to witness the Mohini’s imminent freedom.

Though, something unexpected occurred when they finally lifted that gate. For, rather than venturing outwards into the vastness of this new open space, Mohini instead retreated to the farthest back corner of the area – where she lived out the remainder of her days pacing anxiously in that very same 12 by 12 foot space. No matter how hard the caretakers tried, they just couldn’t break Mohini free from her mental cage.

Perhaps, we are all like Mohini in a way? Meaning, we know that freedom exists for us all, we just can’t seem to get out of our own way. We begin to cage ourselves in with thoughts of insecurity and doubt, until fear becomes our final fortress. These mental habits become so ingrained, that we are unable to break free from our routine.

As uncomfortable as it may seem, we must find the means to embrace the possibilities before us; only then, can we finally know the true taste of freedom.

So, go on now – let the mud squish up through your toes. Take long walks, and find adventure. Live the life you’ve always dreamed, but never dared.

After all, my darlings – isn’t it time you stepped outside of this self-imposed cage?