Slaw Says: Tension between Charlie Cardinal, columnist eases, moral learned

After a long week of worrying and wondering, I'm sure the readers of Slaw Says out there, all two of you, are itching to know if anything has developed since my little run-in with Charlie Cardinal.

For those readers who don't know what I'm talking about, let me recap. A couple of weekends ago, Char-lie Cardinal and I had a brief encounter that resulted in my having a pin-ched finger and injured self-es-teem. That incident also res-ulted in my wri-ting a column about mascot harassment - a very serious subject.

Well, I'm happy to re-port that the tension between Charlie and me has faded, and all is right with the world.

One may ask how this unlikely truce occurred. Have no fear; I will tell you.

It all happened at last Friday's Ball State women's volleyball match against Kent State. As I walked to my seat, I couldn't help but wonder if Charlie would be there and what would happen if he were.

The match began and there was no sight of Charlie. I have to admit I was a little relieved. At the same time, I was a disappointed that he wasn't there to fire up the fans.

My feelings of disappointment were soon put to rest.

Charlie showed up and began to entertain the crowd as he always does. I tapped my pen feverishly on the table every time it looked as if he might be coming my way. Through all of Game 1, he never approached me.

Then, about halfway through the second game, Charlie looked at me. His big fake eyes stared at me like one of those paintings that have the eyes that follow you everywhere you go. After what seemed like an eternity, Charlie simply shook his head and walked away.

I was glad to avoid confrontation, but at the same time, a small part of me winced when he turned from me.

During intermission, I was going over my notes when someone sat down in the chair next to me. He was big, red and had feathers. Yes. It was Charlie.

I turned to him and said, "Hey Charlie." The large cardinal looked back at me, shook his head and raised his wings as if to say, "Why Cole? Why did you write a story about me like that? Are you really that desperate for column ideas?"

The look on his face, which happens to be the same look that is always on his face, arose such feelings of guilt in me that I wanted to open up a bird sanctuary.

"I'm sorry," I said. I meant it too. This wasn't a sorry-I-didn't-hold-the-elevator sorry. This was the real thing. It was a true heart to heart. Man to man. Well, man to bird. Well, man to man-sized bird.

At my apology, Charlie stuck out his hand in a gesture of friendship. I gladly took it and we embraced. All the mistakes of the previous weekend were forgiven in that instant. Life can now move on.

I want this to serve as an example to everyone out there. There are a lot of different people in this world. We come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Some of us even come in gigantic bird suits. But we all need to accept and love one another. The world will be so much happier if we can all live in harmony.

If Charlie Cardinal and I can learn to do it, anyone can.