a gentle place

Posted By Harry on June 29, 2010

I’ve been thinking about those I admire. People that by their actions have sparkling stars adorning Harry’s Admiration Lane.

There’s the 6’4″ paediatric burns surgeon who somehow always manages to concertina his body and his being to that of his diminutive patients, instantly calming them, suspending their tears on water-streaked cheeks as abruptly as turning off a tap.  There’s Jean Hill, the 82 year old ‘rabble-rousing granny’ who, having discovered the environmental desecration brought upon by bottled water, is taking on the might of international beverage companies by calling for a ban on them being sold in her hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. Emma and Eliza, single mum and daughter who founded and run Brightside Farm Sanctuary; starting with limited funds they weathered their first frosty Huon Valley winter in a rusty old caravan while their ever-expanding family of rescued pigs, goats, horses and featherless battery hens enjoyed the comfort of the brilliant new animal complex.

And then there are the 2004 Monza city council members who have a star each for their historic ruling that outlawed the keeping of goldfish in bowls.  This northern Italian city’s mayor, Giampietro Mosca, found his name in print around the globe as he detailed council’s decision on the ban of goldfish bowls, “A fish kept in a bowl has a distorted view of reality … and suffers because of this.” The ruling also banned the sale of coloured chicks at fairs, and the giving away of small animals as competition prizes. “This story about the goldfish, which has gone around Italy, seems a little irrelevant and people have mocked it a bit, but it has a very specific educational sense, especially for the little ones.”  Another star, Mayor Mosca, for highlighting the educational component of Monza’s historic ruling; too many ‘little ones’ have their compassion for animals educated out of them as adults demonstrate that cruelty to animals is an accepted societal norm and not really cruel anyway.

So no, my Admiration Lane is not filled with stars laid there by sportsmen, war heroes or presidents (although Nelson Mandela has one), but with stars placed there by those who speak up and care for the small and the voiceless.  And put the small and the voiceless first as they do so.

Categories: Animals & us
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