Monday, October 14, 2013

Tiny ant, large heart

My friend was looking upset.
“I saw an accident victim pleading for help, but I had to rush to office. I could not do anything,” he said.
“Was it a major accident?”
“It was a minor injury, a cut on the knees. There were people who were helping, but I should have helped,” he continued.
“It is OK. That good thought is enough,” I consoled him.
After he left, guilty conscience gripped me. After all, I have also skipped helping people on many such occasions.
Interestingly, I read an anecdote in a Tamil book about a research on ants by a nature lover, Belt. 
A group of ants was busy searching for food. Many of them carried foodstuff and were sliding along with weights on their heads. Suddenly, one lost balance and fell. Along with the ant fell a stone and partly crushed it. The ant’s attempts to wriggle out went in vain.
Other ants tried to help, but found it impossible. Some of the ants moved in different directions and fetched more comrades. Together they tried, but again in vain. They gave up the attempt, turned away from the tiny stone in a thoughtful mood. In seconds, they returned together and all at a time dashed against the tiny stone rolling it over. The ant was saved.

11 comments:

  1. congrats for the editorial posts!

    animals are always better than us, ruthless humans

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  2. Very sweet and thoughtful post. Next time I see ants, I will remember your post, Ramesh Ji :)

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  3. Sometimes I feel we have zoned out, each in their own world.

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  4. Good post! Compared to complete ignorance, having the intention to help is better, cause it is a sign of a good heart!

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  5. These days we are only 'as busy as ants'. I think we should emulate ants in more ways than one.

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  6. Indeed, thoughtful post.

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  7. I'm quite certain your friend would have offered help if other people had not been around or it had been any more serious than a cut knee.

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  8. It seems ants are better than humans. Nice post.

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  9. Sigh... human nature. Even the ants were busy right? How you been buddy?

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  10. We have teachers all around! Only an observant eye is needed:)

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