Chameleons

By Much. Khoiri

It all happened after the general election in Forest Country. Most big animals from the Herbivore, Carnivore and Omnivore were bargaining over the proportion of their seats in the Animal's Consultative Assembly. All the ordinary ones were already back to daily life. In an atmosphere the same as ever before, they could breathe, eat, drink, work, play and sleep again in their dreamland. Despite the riots, clashes, violence and grievances, in their eyes still lay hope for better welfare.

About 40 animal parties took part in the general election. All the animals were confused about who to vote for. Old Lion, the king of the forest after Old Tiger's resignation last season, understood how difficult it was to satisfy all the animals. Although many accused Old Tiger of still playing his mischievous games behind the scenes, Old Lion did not believe them.

"We'll hold fair elections. No pressure, no threats. Vote for the best," he underlined in his speech before election day.

Behind the satisfaction, however, lay disappointment. There were a few groups of animals who claimed to be nonvoters. They were sick of Old Tiger's family's manipulations, and judged Old Lion's administration incapable of implementing the right maneuvers. And all this was because of Monkey's provocation.

One afternoon, Monkey, the leader of the nonvoters, sat ponderously on a huge rock, looking around a big ring of animals: sheep, rabbits, snakes, lizards, chameleons, squirrels, rats, birds, bats, butterflies, scorpions and many more. Orangutan, Monkey's uncle, sat beside the leader, pretending to be attentive. They looked anxious, waiting for Monkey's speech.

"My fellow friends," said Monkey. "The general election was an arena of collusion. We've seen so many chameleons."

The audience was taken aback. They moved closer, like journalists jostling for a coveted interview.

"But what do you mean by 'chameleon'?" prompted Snake.

"Are you talking about me?" said Chameleon.

Orangutan cradled the brownish chameleon and said, "No, it's not you, dear friend. They've behaved like you. They've manipulated you."

"I don't see your point."

"Don't be ambiguous," said Rabbit.

"That's why ... Now listen to him."

Monkey smiled. It made them more curious and they held their breath in anticipation. After a while, he blinked and held a stick in his hands.

"Yes, they have been like chameleons," said Monkey.

"Like chameleons? No kidding."

"They change their style to suit those around them as seamlessly as a chameleon changes colors to match his environment," he continued. "They have a knack for fitting in, for manipulating their images. This peculiar trait is the key to their popularity and success. They've assumed a malleable personality so that they could get along with anyone and everyone like them. They claimed the role shifts are not meant as deception, but are appropriate for the situation. Acting like a different animal could help them to get along with even the most idiosyncratic souls, to be the most effective at life, play and love, and to make others feel relaxed and comfortable in their presence ... "

Suddenly Wolf, the smart spy, ran in a hurry toward the crowd. All eyes focused on him.

"What's the matter, Wolf?" said Orangutan.

"When I was on duty, Eagle led me to that valley, and we saw Mr. Big Tiger Jr. and all his followers holding a parade. Like an exodus. You can hear them now."

They kept silent. They could hear heavy footsteps and strange voices in the distance. They were the voices of a herd of elephants, giraffes, bulls, cows, bears, jaguars and many more big animals. They were still stunned as Monkey raised his stick. "Don't be afraid. They're enjoying their victory. Thanks, Wolf."

Wolf smiled and stood next to Sheep.

"OK, let's continue," said Monkey. "They are perceptive, and their flexibility and adaptiveness enable them to take on the perfect personality for any situation. On one occasion, they could talk with various sorts of animals, about various topics and various behaviors. To some extent, they are Jack-of-all- trades. They never feel out of place even when surrounded by different attitudes, values and interests."

Now Monkey took a deep breath. The spectators looked at one another. Silence persisted for a while.

"They must play a diversity of roles with all the assorted characters in their life. Must we, too?" interrupted Chameleon.

Tortoise crawled, and said: "No. You know, they've lost their identity."

Some birds, waving their wings, nodded one by one. Bees hummed and dogs howled to the sky.

"To mesh does not mean to merge, I think," said Chameleon. "This is the fallacy about chameleons. To me, I am still myself."

"Wait a minute," said Monkey, glancing at Chameleon. "Cool down, my fiends. We're not talking about you, but them. Don't be uneasy."

"But we are neutral, aren't we?"

"Exactly. You're brilliant."

"So who the hell are they?"

"Crocodile is an example," said Wolf. "Now he is the mouthpiece of Mr. Big Tiger Jr. To survive, he has yielded himself totally to him. He's even the chief of his security officials."

"We've got it. But who else?" said Lizard.

"I don't mention names. None of our ethics," said Monkey. "But you can see, they've changed their parties as people change their clothes. Once they were campaigning for Banana or Papaya, but now they have positions in the Sugarcane party. Why? The previous one promises nothing, while the latter does everything. Again, for survival, you know."

They were so serious that they were unaware that it was getting cloudy. Winds drifted the darkening clouds westward, and the sun could not pierce the cover through to the ground. The place was now totally in shadows. Trees and bushes seemed to have witnessed the meeting. Their eyes were growing moist.

"If so, to them, what is life for?"

"No idea. Survival or safety, perhaps. It's absurd."

"There should be some interdependence."

"Yes, if you take it as too idealistic."

"So what has gone wrong?"

"The system. Yes, it has conditioned them or us to be chameleons."

The system. Is it the system that created all this trouble? Is it also the system that made all the kidnappings and killings possible? Why has the system given a chance for the ex-king Old Tiger or Mr. Big Tiger Jr. to be like gods? These questions, and more, were what remained in audience's mind as they left.

Two weeks later. The Animal's Consultative Assembly was established, complete with all dimensions of affairs. Agenda were being prepared by members --- of unbalanced proportions -- for panel meetings. The destiny of animal society was in their hands. Ordinary animals were to wait.

That evening the nonvoters were shocked at seeing Monkey walk home arrogantly, carrying a bunch of bananas, a big papaya and a long fresh sugarcane. Wolf, who saw Monkey passing by his home, could not help asking:

"Are you also a chameleon, Monkey?"

"I don't see your point, dear friend."

"But you have got all this from them?"

"Mm, yes. We need a representative in the Assembly."

"And you want to prostitute yourself there?"

"No, it's a matter of individual responsibility."

"You've played a dirty trick on us."

"I just could not refuse their offer."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Sorry, anyway. If you lose, should I lose, too?"

"Garbage! Damn you, lousy traitor!"

Wolf swallowed hard, his whole body trembling with anger. He called loudly for other nonvoters in the region, who assembled in a minute. "Kill this opportunist," he shouted angrily.

As they rushed to chase him, Monkey climbed up to the big tree next to a waterfall, near the gate of Mr. Big Tiger Jr.'s cave castle. Inside, Crocodile devoured fat trout and Orangutan grabbed a basket of fruit.

Surabaya, April 21, 1999