A hypothetical exercise in reverse evolution

If there was one animal that demonstrates your personality, what would that animal be? If God allowed you to be an animal instead of a human, which animal would you choose?Some people might go for the ostentatious or elegant -- a peacock, a lion or an eagle. Some might like to be an imposing elephant or whale.Others might choose to be something small and quiet -- a mouse, hummingbird or koala bear.One friend of mine said that if he could be an animal, he would be a three-toed sloth. This is something like a Rorschach test that can reveal much about how we perceive ourselves.Sometimes I look at people and think to myself, "They sure act like a...." and then I fill it in with an animal (no, I'm not talking about a donkey or its other name).We use these expressions in our descriptions of each other: "quiet as a mouse," "busy as a bee," "bold as a lion."It reminds me of the joke that asks, "Which is worse -- a caterpillar with athlete's foot, a hippopotamus with chapped lips or a giraffe with a sore throat?"Anyway, the reason this is on my mind is because Carol, my biggest fan, suggested that I write about monkeys. When I asked her why she picked this strange topic, she laughed and said, "I don't know." Like me, sometimes her thoughts are untraceably random.It's funny that she said, "monkey," because this is the animal I'd like to be. They are playful, fun, funny and goofy. These are some of the predominant character traits I'd like to possess. Sure, it would look good on my resume if I emulated a more glamorous animal -- a cougar or a Doberman. These and other animals would be a more elevating ideal than the simian family.By the way, I have a nickname at work. Since I am older than most and have worked there longer than anyone, they call me Silverback. Coincidence? I think not.What nickname do you have for Tom? Send comments or questions to Tom Rupp at truppfolsom@yahoo.com.