Saturday, July 17, 2010
Starting them young
Over these last few months, we have read and seen many cases of cruelty inflicted by people on animals. While many quarters have pushed for harsher punishments on such offences, a long-term solution to this problem is to educate the young.
Very young children often have a natural love for animals, but this soon disappears if it is not nurtured, or worse, if it is "altered" by adults who teach them that animals are lesser beings and do not deserve any love and sympathy.
About three weeks ago, an 11 year-old boy by the name of Toh Han Shen wrote to me. He had got a copy of Pawprints on My Heart, and he told me how much he loved the stories. He also told me how he and his aunt attempted to save a little kitten, and recently, he and his friends helped in the rescue of a few kittens from his school compound. Coming from one so young, his narration of the incidents abounds with sincerity and concern for the animals.
Over the past two years, I've received many emails, from adults as well as children, telling me how the stories from Pawprints and Indy Jones have touched them and even changed the way they look at animals.
Real-life stories have a way of touching the heart, and sometimes, all it takes is just one story to put a lasting imprint in our minds which will shape our perception and response to the world around us.
So, if you have a story, share it, especially with the young. You'll never know how many hearts it can touch!
Very young children often have a natural love for animals, but this soon disappears if it is not nurtured, or worse, if it is "altered" by adults who teach them that animals are lesser beings and do not deserve any love and sympathy.
About three weeks ago, an 11 year-old boy by the name of Toh Han Shen wrote to me. He had got a copy of Pawprints on My Heart, and he told me how much he loved the stories. He also told me how he and his aunt attempted to save a little kitten, and recently, he and his friends helped in the rescue of a few kittens from his school compound. Coming from one so young, his narration of the incidents abounds with sincerity and concern for the animals.
Over the past two years, I've received many emails, from adults as well as children, telling me how the stories from Pawprints and Indy Jones have touched them and even changed the way they look at animals.
Real-life stories have a way of touching the heart, and sometimes, all it takes is just one story to put a lasting imprint in our minds which will shape our perception and response to the world around us.
So, if you have a story, share it, especially with the young. You'll never know how many hearts it can touch!
Free Publications
The following books are printed for free distribution. If you'd like to contribute towards reprints, please contact me.Pawprints on My Heart
Indy Jones & the 4 Pillars of Kindness
A Kite in the Wind
Little Steps, Joyful Steps
See you on Rainbow Bridge (in progress)
