1. Animals are our friends/wikinut /shvoong
If we look around us, we can find many examples of man using animals. The milk that we
drink comes from cows. In many parts of the country, bullock is still used to plough the land
and thus we get our rice and the grain. Dogs are known to be man's best friend considering
its loyalty and love. The sheep gives us wool and many other animals are killed so that man
can feast on their flesh. But what do we do in return for these bountiful gifts that these
animals give us?
We often find children hitting a stray dog with stones and many such wounds have crippled
several dogs on the street. Sometimes we do find lit crackers tied to the tails of cows or
donkey and when they run here and there in a frightened manner. It is sort of entertainment
for the kinds or the persons who did the act.
Once a cow ceases to give milk it is sent to the slaughterhouse by its owners. If a racehorse
falls and breaks its legs, it is `put to sleep’ by its owner. There have been occasions when
bullocks have been severely whipped by their masters only because they were too weak to
carry the load. Do you know that there are very few Bengal tigers or African elephants
alive on this planet earth? This has happened because of indiscreet hunting by mankind
for the tusk or skin. We can really go on and but let up pause here for a while.
If man realizes that animals are an integral part of the overall environment and ecology, then
his attitude towards animals might be a lot different. Nature has beautifully programmed the
flora and fauna in such a manner that it is all well balanced. If man hunts down the predators
in an excessive manner, men the number of grazing animals will increase. So, more sheep
and goats and deer will try to graze over the limited grass area. They might even impinge on
the cultivated land thus less food will be available for the human beings.
It was not like this all the time. In fact, tales abound about our ancient rulers who showed an
extraordinary love for the birds and the animals. There was this famous ruler Sibi who gave
a part of his flesh to protect a bird and another ruler who rode a chariot over his own son
because his son had killed a calf by running his cart over it. There is a king who covered a
shivering peacock with his own shawl. You would see many illustrations of a lamb over
Jesus Christ’s shoulders.
As the future citizens of the world, you display concern and affection towards animals at all
times and by doing so you would inspiring many others to follow your example. There are
institutions like SPCA (society for prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which are dedicated for
the cause of animals and their welfare.