Theognis, Fragment 1. 1135 (trans. Gerber, Vol. Greek Elegiac) (Greek elegy C6th B.C.) :
"Elpis (Hope) is the only good god remaining among mankind; the others have left and gone to Olympos. Pistis (Trust), a mighty god has gone, Sophrosyne (Restraint) has gone from men, and the Kharites, my friend, have abandoned the earth. Men's judicial oaths are no longer to be trusted, nor does anyone revere the immortal gods; the race of pious men has perished and men no longer recognize the rules of conduct or acts of piety. But as long as man lives and sees the light of the sun, let him show piety to the gods and count on Elpis (Hope). Let him pray to the gods and burn splendid thigh bones, sacrificing to Elpis (Hope) first and last."
- Courtesy Ender.
"Elpis (Hope) is the only good god remaining among mankind; the others have left and gone to Olympos. Pistis (Trust), a mighty god has gone, Sophrosyne (Restraint) has gone from men, and the Kharites, my friend, have abandoned the earth. Men's judicial oaths are no longer to be trusted, nor does anyone revere the immortal gods; the race of pious men has perished and men no longer recognize the rules of conduct or acts of piety. But as long as man lives and sees the light of the sun, let him show piety to the gods and count on Elpis (Hope). Let him pray to the gods and burn splendid thigh bones, sacrificing to Elpis (Hope) first and last."
- Courtesy Ender.
I have this notion about humans- it's the same as the one Hobbes stated, human beings are "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." We're vile, conniving creatures who will stop at nothing to get what we want. We are self-centred, ego-centric, and unconcerned about the world around us.
Unless, of course, it benefits us or protects us from harm in some way, irrespective of how twisted.
Then, you look at the flip-side. Animals. Dogs.
I would give my life up in an instant if that would keep my babies happy. I cuddle them to death, and love their wet snouts nuzzling my palms. I shamelessly kiss their snouts, ‘cause I know they love it. I kiss them on their foreheads, and scratch their ears ‘cause I see that sparkle in their eyes every time I do.
They bark at people who they think will harm me. Bark, or growl, and keep them away. My parents taught me etiquette, manners. My family taught me how I should behave, ought to behave. But my dogs taught me selflessness, and strength. They taught me to stand tall at the end of a difficult day. They taught me that they’ll be there no matter what, and that there IS indeed a thing such as unconditional love. I need not test them, I dare not test them, ‘cause they will pass and I will fail for even just trying to see if they’re loyal. They are. It goes without saying.
The Lord made these creatures to teach us lessons, most of which have gone unlearnt. Have been ignored.
The Lord has told us “Look, and see. These creatures will teach you how to be honest, and loving. How to be caring through the end of time, no matter how much harm you face on Earth.”
The Lord gave them no words to speak with. He gifted them gestures that mean a lot more than human gestures would. He did not bless them with hands, for they have paws that are soft and furry, comfortable and warm, no matter how cold the day has been. The Lord gifted them with snouts and ever-warm eyes. . . to show us, they love us. So much.
The Lord granted us rationale and brains, and we have ruined ourselves for want of possession and wealth. . . for want of power, and fame.
Yet, these creatures will sit in your shadow, and lick your tears away. They will paw you when they feel you need them around, they will make you laugh when you’re about to break down. They will teach you, every step along the way, what it is to be a good human being.
Human beings do not have to like me, for they matter not to a very large extent. I have found a few who do, whom I would give my life for, guided purely by how much they might love their own animals, or those around them. so long as The Lord’s creatures do, however, I know, within, that I AM a good human being. For I would not abandon them, I would not harm them. I dare not, for I love them. Unconditionally.
They aren’t just Lord’s creatures, created with reason.
They are my friends, and I love them dearly. I will pet a stray and smile through the day rather than befriend a human who begrudges them.
I love my dogs.
But please, if you adopt an animal, do not abandon them.
If you have a heart, look at them and KNOW inside, they will be there no matter what. Do not let them go. You do not know how much they miss you, or how much it hurts them to adjust to new scents and sounds.
Understand, they have hearts.
Understand. . . you NEED them beside you for they ARE your heart. Your breath. . .
They’re everything to me.
Stop hurting them.
No comments:
Post a Comment