• gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Topic: A Long Way Off Topic......

A Long Way Off Topic.......But I wanted to share this with you.

My wife Norma and myself have just spent the most wonderful afternoon at Colchester Zoo in Essex (UK). The zoo is known for it's animal welfare and breeding programmes and depends heavily on financial support from the public. We adopted a two year old giraffe named Century......13 feet tall and as cute as cute can be. We spent an hour in his company this afternoon, fed him and watched him and the other animals in the huge compound (other giraffes, zebras, rhinos), serene and full of beauty and grace, as he watched us......an amazing hour in our lives with a truly majestic animal. Peace seemed to sorround the animals and it sorrounded us too.

Before we left we went to see the plaque on the wall that states that we've adopted Century and we had to pass the childrens play area. The noise was deafening and we stood looking over the wall at the kids as they pushed each other and shouted, fighting for the the best place on the slide or swings. The parents seemed totally oblivious to the noise that their offspring were making. It struck me that there should have been a sign saying "You Are Looking At The Most Destructive Animal On The Planet".

A thoughtful end to a wonderful day. The tenderness of a wild animal in stark contrast to the wildness of the human species. I wonder where it will end.

Peace

Geoff

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Indy area
  • Registered: 2006-06-20
  • Posts: 245

Re: A Long Way Off Topic......

Geoff, I'm so glad you and Norma had such a wonderful experience w/ your Century.  But I was...surprised at your story's ending.  I was expecting something totally different, as my experience working with preschoolers for 12 years and in the elementary school for 2, supports a different view of those "wild" children.  Yes, they're highly energetic, and often very noisy, but I've witnessed their caring and compassion first hand, seeing normally self-centered 5 yr olds edge out of the way so one of their peers in a walker can pass by easily.  Seeing a handful of those same highly active kids rush to this child's aid, offering to return her crayon box to the cubbies, or put her finished paper in the "done" basket, or pull her marker and wipe-board within her reach.  I've heard these adorably silly children, when asked to read an exclamatory sentence w/ "gusto" say, "Gus?  When's he gonna get here?  Is he nice?"   I think my recent experience w/ one new kindergartner and the lessons he learned in 2 short weeks is indicative of what can be taught, even to the most "selfish" of children.  The first week of school I had asked this little boy to do a favor for the little girl I'm in charge of,  the one who uses a walker, who has physical disabilities, tires easily, but has the biggest smile and the BEST attitude of any 5 yr old I"ve had the pleasure of knowing.   This boy, at week one of school said, "No, I don't think I can help.  Do you think you could find someone else?"  At first I was...astounded.  Then I laughed at his ...bravery!  The teacher said his response was unacceptable and talked to him, giving him the choice (yeah, right) to re-think his response.   Two weeks later, I caught him assisting this same little girl w/ a coloring project, saying he knew it was too hard for her to complete, and when I prompted the little girl to say thank you, this 5 yr old boy just smiled the biggest, cheesiest grin you've ever seen, and very proudly stated, "It was my pleasure!"  Now THAT'S what keeps me going in this very crazy world!

Great musicians have a language & vocabulary that transcends the usual barriers & touches us on a more primitive , basic & yet complex level....

...I'll always have London in my heart, and in my soul...

3 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2008-09-21 11:34:49)

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
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Re: A Long Way Off Topic......

Thanks for the other point of view Donna. I always hope for the best from our, sometimes, wonderful human race and I know that the animal kingdom works by a different set of rules. Most times I prefer theirs to ours.......maybe I've seen too much inner-city life although I live in the country. It just struck me that the so called wild animals were far better behaved. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man wink

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young