Voices of the Children
A lion is abruptly awoken by a small, insignificant mouse crawling across this nose. The lion is so alarmed that he sends out a terrible roar. He instinctively seizes the mouse with his enormous paw and is ready to kill him. He feels the mouse struggle and fight for his measly life and feels pity for the mouse. The mouse had done no harm to him and he decides to spare his life and get on with his nap. The mouse is amazed by the lion’s compassion and promises that he will be sure to repay the kindness. The lion laughs it off, thinking nothing of it. Soon after the lion falls into a hunters trap and is hopelessly tangled in its strong ropes. In his last attempt to free himself, the lion sends out a roar so load that every creature in his kingdom could hear. The mouse, recognizing the roar from earlier, set out to find the trap that the lion had fallen into. Immediately the mouse began chewing the ropes with all of his might. Finally, he chewed the last rope and the lion was freed. The lion was extremely grateful. They had both learned that compassion towards every creature, no matter the side of the differences, will always create life changing results.
“The Lion and the Mouse” is one of the most famous of Aesop’s Fables that teaches compassion and caring. Everyone has heard some form or another of this fable, but they are unable to learn from its teachings. Compassion in our society is fading even though it is the easiest, most selfless act that can be done. Today, compassion is too closely related to respect. Respect is simply to feel or show regard for or attention to another human being. The main difference between respect and compassion is that compassion has nothing to do with status in society or age. We are told to pay respect to our elders while they would much rather prefer compassion. The elderly do not want to receive respect from their children; it is too cold and heartless. Compassion is a connection; a warm feeling between two humans. Compassion is not simply holding a door open for a person because it is required, but instead holding a door open for another being because they are truly cared for. It is caring for a person not because they offer some benefit, but rather caring because they are simply alive.
I have found my self playing the lion’s role in both school and in work. At times I have even chosen to eat the mouse rather than set it free. Playing the greedy, selfish lion’s role gives no satisfaction no matter how many times it is performed. I have even found myself playing the timid, foolish mouse whose life rests in the hands of a lion whom I hope will show compassion towards me. Having played both these roles I have found that the greatest satisfaction in my life was created when I was the lion and I showed compassion to the mouse under my paw. It is the greatest feeling to have the mouse come back and care for me.
Making relationships in life is what life is all about. Lookin for one another and caring is the only way that I have found happiness. Falling into the position of the greedy lion is the easiest way to fulfill selfish needs, but becoming the kindhearted lion is the only way to live a contented life. Respect is what is always taught and should always be used, but compassion is what is learned and should always be given.