What Should One Be?

What should one be?

The other day, Riya and I watched a movie, Ferdinand, with beautiful friends. Lovely movie and lovely message. It is very amazing how they make children’s movies these days which relay a very deep message in a very simple way.

The word ‘bully’ probably came from the animal ‘bull’. The bulls in the movie were worried that if they would not fight like a bull, they would be destined to a chop house. Little did they know, that even if they do, they would still end up similarly and get killed by others as a show of bravery. So what should one aim to be?

If we think about being a lion, the king of the jungle, how many friends does he have? He is able to maintain his pride only till he has the power.

If one is a tiger, he may end up serving as a challenge to the hunters and be hunted down or pitied and protected as endangered by nature and animal lovers.

If one is a wolf or a fox, he has a pack. But the other packs will always be a threat. If there would be a winner, there would also always be a loser who would have lost a lot.

Let’s see the soft ones:

If one is an elephant, he could be easily taken for a ride.

If one is a cow, she will be milked and then maybe a “ginormous beeferoni”.

So what should one be?

Should we be ourselves, the humans, and be proud of our sharp minds who managed to divide the earth into nations, divided the population into religions, and divided the resources unequally among the rich and the poor.

How about being a dolphin and splashing around in the water with friends and lighting up the world with mirth and joy. Or maybe a seagull and soar on the winds up high in the sky and span the world without boundaries and watch the sunrise and the sunset on the ocean every day and live life its own way.

Dear lions and tigers, if you see a seagull, don’t roar to scare her as she won’t get scared.

Dear wolves, if you find a seagull near water, let her get her nutrition because she will do it anyways.

Dear foxes, do not try to trick her, because she will not fall into traps.

Dear humans, please don’t hit the seagull with your arrow because even if she falls, she would still fly away and you may never find her.

Dear elephants, if you find a seagull, she would be a great companion as she would probably fly by your side and never take you for a ride.

Dear dolphins, you both would have a lot in common and would make great friends, one soaring in the sky and one diving in the seas.

Let’s soar in the air
Let’s dive into the sea
Let’s be light as a hair
Yet be strong as a tree
Let’s climb up the mountains
Let’s glide from the cliff
Let’s run on the plains
Let’s float on the stream
Let’s spread some love
And get some love
Power has an end
Love is immortal

Let’s live carefreely
And not be leashed
Let’s live a dream
And find some peace

The ‘real’ real world is beautiful,
Yes, it’s true, I’m sure!
You just have to believe in yourself
And be ready to explore!

Jaya Sonkar, M.D., M.P.H.
©All rights reserved. Jaya Sonkar 2018