--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once, I discovered the skulls of two…" description: "\"“Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight; the two animals had been trapped in combat,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg" --- # Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their… ![“Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight; the two animals had been trapped in combat, latched to each other during the battle of the rut. The harder they had pulled to escape from each other, the more intractably stuck they were…” quote by Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg) > ““Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight; the two animals had been trapped in combat, latched to each other during the battle of the rut. The harder they had pulled to escape from each other, the more intractably stuck they were, until they had fallen exhausted, to their knees, in an embrace of hatred that had killed them both. When I picked up the skulls to add to my growing collection of what Vanessa called "Bobo's smelly pile," the hooked horns fell away from each other and the story of the impalas' death struggle was undone.”” [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Two locked impalas illustrate how mutual conflict can become self‑destructive, yet external intervention can break the cycle. **In simple terms:** Conflict can trap participants in mutual destruction. Key Takeaway Break cycles of mutual destruction. Themes conflict mutual destruction intervention Mood thoughtful empathetic Type psychological educational When to use this quote - relationship counseling - conflict resolution - environmental management Key Concepts ecology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What external forces can resolve entrenched conflicts? - How can we recognize when we’re stuck? A Different Perspective Breaking cycles often requires external help. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight; the two animals had been trapped in combat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impala-rams-their-horns-locked/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) ## More by Alexandra Fuller > [“Toasted tobacco, no additives,' I said. 'Yum. Tastes like childhood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/toasted-tobacco-no-additives-i-said-yum-tastes-like-childhood/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [I don't think we have all the words in a single vocabulary to explain what we are or why we are. I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/i-don-t-think-we-have-all-the-words-in-a-single-vocabulary-to-explain/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [In the West, it was believed that attitude and ambition saved you. In Africa, we had learned that no one was immune to capricious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/in-the-west-it-was-believed-that-attitude-and-ambition-saved-you-in/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [I listen mostly to classical music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/i-listen-mostly-to-classical-music/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [What is important is the story. Because when we are all dust and teeth and kicked-up bits of skin - when we're dancing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/what-is-important-is-the-story-because-when-we-are-all-dust-and-teeth/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [One of the things about being raised British in Africa is that you get this double whammy of toughness. The continent in place itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/one-of-the-things-about-being-raised-british-in-africa-is-that-you/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [“How much strength must one people have? And for how long must they have it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/how-much-strength-must-one-people-have-and-for-how-long-must-they/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [In general, I almost always watch foreign films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/in-general-i-almost-always-watch-foreign-films/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [I think that being raised the way I was, where everything was so uncompromising, where, you know, we're prepared to fight to the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/i-think-that-being-raised-the-way-i-was-where-everything-was-so/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [This is not a full circle. It's life carrying on. It's the next breath we all take. It's the choice we make to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/this-is-not-a-full-circle-it-s-life-carrying-on-it-s-the-next-breath/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [“The schools wear the blank faces of war buildings, their windows blown blind by rocks or guns or mortars. Their plaster is an acne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/the-schools-wear-the-blank-faces-of-war-buildings-their-windows-blown/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [Until I read Anne Frank's diary, I had found books a literal escape from what could be the harsh reality around me. After I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/until-i-read-anne-frank-s-diary-i-had-found-books-a-literal-escape/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [I adore my family. I don't love their politics. I think they're wonderful parents. They were dreadful at parenting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/i-adore-my-family-i-don-t-love-their-politics-i-think-they-re/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [It seems very clear to me that we, in the West, cannot afford to continue assuming propriety over the world's resources in a careless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/it-seems-very-clear-to-me-that-we-in-the-west-cannot-afford-to/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) > [Oh, I don't keep a journal. How you remember an incident is dictated by your emotional state at the time. How you receive the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/oh-i-don-t-keep-a-journal-how-you-remember-an-incident-is-dictated-by/) [Alexandra Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) [Explore all 89 Alexandra Fuller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. Powers > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight; the two animals had been trapped in combat, latched to each other during the battle of the rut. The harder they had pulled to escape from each other, the more intractably stuck they were, until they had fallen exhausted, to their knees, in an embrace of hatred that had killed them both. When I picked up the skulls to add to my growing collection of what Vanessa called \"Bobo's smelly pile,\" the hooked horns fell away from each other and the story of the impalas' death struggle was undone.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexandra Fuller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impala-rams-their-horns-locked-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impala-rams-their-horns-locked-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/792/alexandra-fuller-7586_death_once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impa_2702567.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once, I discovered the skulls of two impala rams, their horns locked into an irreversible figure-of-eight…” — Alexandra Fuller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexandra Fuller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-fuller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Once, I discovered the skulls of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impala-rams-their-horns-locked-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-fuller/once-i-discovered-the-skulls-of-two-impala-rams-their-horns-locked-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```