Lessons from the Wild
Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. African Proverb
Here’s another powerful story from Maasai guide and friend, Brenda Senewa Korian, illustrated with images from my photo archives. Brenda weaves valuable lessons we can all benefit from that incorporate her love of nature and the wisdom of her indigenous Maasai culture.
Today, I witnessed one of nature’s most unforgettable lessons.
A cheetah made a successful kill after what must have been an exhausting chase. For a moment, it seemed like hard work had finally been rewarded.
©kathykarn
But the wild has its own rules. Before long, a clan of hyenas arrived. They overpowered the cheetah, claimed the meal as their own, and the cheetah had no choice but to run for its life.
©kathykarn
As I watched, I realized that this wasn’t just a wildlife encounter—it reflected many lessons I have learned growing up as a Maasai woman.
In Maasai culture, we are taught that strength is not only measured by power but also by wisdom, patience, and knowing when to fight and when to walk away. The cheetah is the fastest animal on land, yet speed alone could not protect its prize. Faced with overwhelming numbers, it chose life over pride. It ran, not because it was weak, but because survival meant there would be another day to hunt again.
That lesson speaks deeply to me. As Maasai women, our journey has never been easy. We often work hard for our dreams, our families, and our communities. Sometimes, despite our greatest efforts, life brings challenges that seem unfair. There are moments when others take credit for our work, opportunities slip away, or circumstances beyond our control force us to begin again.
But like the cheetah, we endure.
©TylerShaw
Our culture teaches resilience. We know that losing one battle does not mean losing the journey. We carry hope, dignity, and courage into every new day. We rise again because our strength is rooted not only in what we possess but in who we are.
©kathykarn
Today, the savannah reminded me that survival is its own victory. The cheetah may have lost its meal, but it kept its life. And sometimes, choosing to protect your future instead of clinging to one moment is the bravest decision of all.
©kathykarn
That is a lesson I will carry with me—as a woman, as a daughter of the Maasai, and as someone who continues to learn from the wisdom of the wild.
Brenda Senewa Korian ©kathykarn
Read more about Brenda on my International Women’s Day post. Follow Brenda on Linked In.
Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your story with me. Thank you to the many readers who comment on these posts. Your feedback keeps me going! A special shout out to Bruce Norman who kindly shared his feedback this week via email.
Hello Kathy
Your photography and writing are a delight to view and read. This Giraffe Day post is heartwarming - they are so large yet gentle and humble. Two of my other favourites are your series on elephants (after you spoke at my Probus club a couple of years ago) and your feature on the African WOLF. Who would have ever known about those beautiful animals if it was not for your fine ‘photojournalism’ which is always touching and educational. One could also refer to you as a skilled ‘visual historian’. Thank you for your good work at sharing the stories of these far-away animals who can’t speak for themselves. Please feel free to forward or re-post my message on Substack if that is possible. That would make my day to share my positivity with others about your valued work.
Cheers, Bruce
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Love the story, Kathy. Beautiful.
Powerful words and images that reveal. Thank you for sharing both 🌿