The Sanctity of Marriage

Recently I heard the story of Petra the swan on the radio. Petra, is a black swan in Muenster, Germany, that appeared to prefer the company of a pedal boat in the shape of a giant swan back in 2006. The townsfolk of Muenster and the owner of the pedal boat made it possible for Petra to nest over the winter with her beloved beau at the local zoo. By the fall of 2007, Petra grew tired of her giant mate and fell for a smaller, white, and no doubt noisier and less agreeable live swan. 

Petra took a chance on love. She left the reasonable security of a mate that simply bobbed in agreement with her every whim and opened herself up to scrutiny and iminent heartache. And heartache is exactly what she found. Just as things were getting serious, this new swan left Petra for the company of another gaggle of white geese - a younger prettier flock with fancy feathers and the promise of excitement without the fear of commitment. Typical. As Stacia pointed out - whatever happened to the sanctity of marriage?

The zoo-keepers recently noticed Petra swimming in agitated circles, seeming to long for her lost loves. Wouldn’t you? In a kind gesture to heal her wounds, they have decided to take her back to the lake and reunite her with her beloved and steadfast pedal boat. I must say though, even when I’m reeling from heartache, I’m glad my friends haven’t tried to resurrect a safe ex from my past. While the prospect of mating for life with a partner that remains entirely agreeable (albeit silent) sounds ideal, I think I need a little more challenge in my life.