Mancub, Keeper of the Fire

My parents didn't ponder and fret for great periods of time over what name was to be given to me, they didn't wait for an enlightening dream or a sign from a higher power, only glanced through a synthetic '1000 baby names' book until my father stumbled upon one which caught his eye. The name I was given at birth was Kari, Kari Mae Wilson. The first name, Kari, was given to me by my father, a slightly ironic fact seeing that I no longer live with or see him regularly. This is not, of however, because I strongly disliked my name and crawled away from home in a rebellious fit of terrible infancy, but merely an subtraction from the family from which I was raised.

"Show me the secret Mancub, I'll make a deal with you. What I desire, is man's red fire, to make my dreams come true." This quote from Disney's The Jungle Book, brings me to the name I was given by my friends. This name did not originate until the summer of my senior year, but has certainly been a popular one since then. The name, Mancub, was 'sparked' from a camping adventure I was a part of the summer of 2003 with the group Upward Bound, a college prepratory program. A group of approximately 10 other young adults, two adult leaders, and myself were beginning to nestle around what would soon be a warm, blazing fire to discuss that afternoon's activities. I however, had been assigned 'fire duty' that and was having great difficulty locating the supply box filled with matches, kenneling, and lighters. So as my shivering companions sat, I searched excitedly to no prevail for the much needed fire-making supplies. Now in Disney's The Jungle Book, Mogly, a small jungle boy, is forcefully requested by an evil jungle lion to explain to him the 'secret of man's red fire,' an amusing parallel. I did eventually locate the much appreciated fire supplies, and after a few tries, succeeded in making a billowing fire and adopting a somehow catchy nick-name from my camping companions.

Finding a name for myself is a different story. A more complex process which continues and changes every day. First of all, blatantly, with the evolution from childhood names of Care bear and Kariokie, to Kari'Mae, back to Kari, and landing presently at Mancub. I have even been made plural, not in personality (not quite,) but am also now referred to as part of the K(e)ari's, a dynamic duo of my close friend Keri and myself.

Theoretically speaking, a name carries, no pun intended, much more weight. A name for myself can be represented in how I appear to others regarding morals, values, and interests. The name could be made by which subjects and activities I enjoy and which make me more aware of the passing of time. The name could, terrifyingly enough, define were I am going in life and how I am to get there. The name even depicts how I see myself and how that can changes over the course of my life. Names, especially those we give ourselves, have the ability to illustrate and depict to ourselves and others, almost painting a picture of who we are with out our being aware.

So whether a name be singular, plural, or a fictional character; names will always help us to mold ourselves into who we are and who we hope to become. In that case, I hope to surpass the fate of a particular young jungle boy, despite his acute ability to make fire, eats bugs and talks to wild animals.