Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Little Giants
If
you were to happen upon a fight between the animals listed below, who would you
predict to win?
-
lion vs gazelle
- moose vs German shepherd
- bear vs fish
- cat vs mouse
- two pound gull vs 50 ton whale
- pit bull vs toy poodle
- eagle vs rabbit
"It
sounds ludicrous, but it could just be true: scientists say seagulls may be
responsible for hundreds of southern right whale mortalities off the Argentine
coastline. Since 2003, scientists have documented the deaths of 605 southern
right whales (Eubalaena australis) near Península Valdés which the whales use
as a nursery... Scientists now hypothesize that kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus)
may be behind the high death rate, since the gulls repeatedly land on southern
right whales pecking at them to tear off chunks of skin and blubber for food....The
attacks are very painful and cause large, deep lesions, particularly on the
backs of young 2-6 week-old calves. The whales flinch violently and swim away
to flee from the attacking gulls, This harassment can last for hours at a time.
As a result, right whale mothers and their calves are expending much precious
energy during a time-of-year when mothers are fasting and at a site where
little to no food is available to replenish fat reserves. The gull harassment
and the extensive wounds they make must have a very negative effect on the
health and body condition of these whales and is certainly very
stressful." (http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0508-hance-right-whales-gulls.html)
One
might refer to these gulls as little giants.
Their size is minimal, but their incessant pecking is evidently deadly. So often we are aware of, and vigilant
against, our "big" enemies. We
guard against drugs, alcohol, unhealthy foods, immorality, terrorists and thugs
-- and we should. But I wonder if we
have underestimated the danger of other subtle enemies -- enemies we might
easily defeat if sufficiently educated as to their danger. I am thinking more
specifically about enemies that destroy families and communities and cultures. Consider
those little culprits such as: nagging, cheating, cursing, pretending, lying,
procrastinating, or rudeness. These seem like harmless little pests, but they
diminish the character of a person and of a culture.
On
the positive side, the world is made infinitely better by some equally small
things. Saying "thank you" and
"please," chewing with your mouth closed, washing your hands, saying
grace, always telling the truth... they are all important features of a healthy
person. I am thankful for mothers,
teachers, churches and friends who insist on being careful about those little
things. While some may complain that
such influencers are petty, prudish or rigid, I would encourage us to stop and
appreciate the constructive power of small things. A kind word,
an honest answer, a fair discussion, a genuine prayer. These small traits eventually produce big
things, like a nurturing mother, a man of his word, cities that are healthy and
safe and nations that can be trusted -- they, too, are little giants.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
