Zoo

Zoo
by Pureza D. Lacuesta

My mind was blank, no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t think of something to write. Although we have our weekly theme, I couldn’t seem to find the right words, the right expression, and what was worse, the right foundation for my article.

I was lost in the desert of blank ideas when suddenly I was brought back to literary consciousness. I recalled my lecture on being observant, creative, and retentive, so that the power of expression would flow.

Nobody was around. Nobody had inspired me except the animals and fowls in our front yard which attracted my attention.

Snarling and showing its teeth, one of our dogs looked at the chicken pecking at the grains on the ground. While the mother hen and rooster clucked and called for the chicks, the dog started to jump and growl attracting the other dogs (there are 8 in all). Not to be outdone, our cats bared their teeth, jumped at the dogs and get ready to scratch. Each group had its own battle formation, and an idea about values entered my head. Animals and fowls may be exempted in the value-formation, but they can give allegorical aspects to the journalism trade.

There are many of us who pounce upon the poor and the helpless, making them easy victims of misery, while those whose pockets are never empty and power-filled, enjoy life’s pleasure at the expense of the “small people”.

Some of us resort to crime and abuse, showing our merciless treatment to the simple and the unprotected. Intelligent and accomplished people, ridicule the less fortunate in intellect, and stand out with pride and self-adulation in gatherings and public activities.

It is difficult to be simple and humble if we are endowed with many gifts. It is difficult to accept that there are many others who have the same qualifications. We are egoistic and have the tendency to do something unethical and unchristian if challenged.

The world is like a zoo where different personalities and values live together. God has given us the basics of enduring Christianity and consideration for each other, but our human tendencies which are stubborn in nature are difficult to overcome.

It is high time to be honest with ourselves and make amends. Reparations can be done directly and indirectly. In doing this, there is only one prescription – Prayer. The only Physician Who can give this, is God.

Go to Him now. We can never tell when the last page of our life should be read.