Bantha Crossing Original Art

Kim and I grew up in small towns. Occasionally, a train would pass through, blocking a road and putting traffic at a standstill. Most of the time you had no choice but to wait. And wait. And wait. It’s one of the most annoying things ever. Not once did I ever see anyone take a photo of the train.

Things work differently in Yellowstone National Park. People

get real excited about traffic stoppages. You might even say they hope for them. When any sort of wildlife blocks the road, cameras come out quickly to document the occasion. This is not a moment of annoyance, it’s a moment of awe. Both of these scenarios, fundamentally, are disruptions of forward progress. Could it be that the only difference is our perception?

In Star Wars lore, the Bantha is a large, hairy, four-legged mammal. It has an unpleasant smell, produces blue milk, and is domesticated by Tusken Raiders. But in real life, they are just an Asian elephant in a costume.

Things aren’t always what they seem. What disgusting things that cross our paths are something else underneath? Maybe the impossibly long red light is an invitation to enjoy a few minutes of silence, a break from rushing around, or a chance to say a quick prayer for someone who needs it. Maybe it’s a bantha. Maybe it’s just a train. Maybe it’s an encounter with the divine. Maybe you just need to change the way you see it.