Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday April 13, 2006

Yesterday I read an article about one of my old friends, well not really a friend, but one that I considered a best buddy in my childhood days. I thought he had died years ago, but the Miami Herald printed a short article about him.

Now seventy four years of age, I assumed he was older, a little gray here and there, this guy is now in the Guinness Book of World Records! At least I admired winners. Sunday past he was awarded an International Comedy Film Festival of Peniscola Prize which by the way is a Spanish prize. I became fond of him through the 12 movies he made back in those golden days of yesteryear.

Back in early seventies President Ronald Reagan revived interest in him when during a speech he said concerning hippies, "They look like Tarzan, walk like Jane and smell like Cheeta."

Yep, the old pal of all kids my age, Cheeta, is still living in California. The guy who takes care of him says that Cheeta's main interest is riding around with his keeper, Dan Westfall. He still has all of his teeth. I have mine too, and the receipt to show for them.

Cheeta weighs in at 150 lbs. He paints what Dan calls in the ape-stract and the pieces are sold to help with the bills. I understand he still likes a good cigar and misses Jane terribly.

Cheeta is the oldest Chimp in the world. Hollywood only thought they were making a monkey of him!

I guess I recall Cheeta with such fondness due to the fact that each time the gang went to see a Tarzan movie and then retreat the woods, really Maryland's only rain forest, I was forced to play Cheeta. I don't think I ever really got over this role. Typecast I reckon.

Why do I write about Cheeta?

I don't know for sure. I just felt like it and it broke the stress of the day. I do remember that I had just eaten a banana with lunch on Wednesday. Who knows?

Perhaps there is the deep inner longing for the simpler life? I put away the childhood fantasy of becoming Tarzan and the girl up the hill my Jane and living happily ever after in a jungle. That I live in a jungle is undeniable, and while the wife of these many years has no desire to be Jane and run around half naked in the jungle, concrete or otherwise she is a super good Christian woman who loves Jesus and me. My dreams have been more nobler than to utter the famous animal bellow of Tarzan and have the obedient creatures come to my aid. I live so close to the edge that I need their creator to deliver me. And thankfully, He does.

I talked about Cheeta today because I know in our heart of hearts the child still lurks, just beneath the skin, wrinkled though it be, and it's healthy to let him out for a run now and then.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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