Intelligence above all ...

We humans pride ourselves with being the most intelligent and creative of God’s earthly creatures. That is undeniable but man has since time immemorial sought to or inevitably learnt from the animals. 
For instance bats are blind but whose flight paths are guided by radar – from whence the modern radar based its principles on. The penguins in Antarctica look after the young while the females go missing for time on end – as study shows to replenish her nourishment. The Chinese brought martial to greater and advantageous heights simply by learning from various animals and incorporating their moves into fighting skills. Examples can go on and on and truly, man ought to take its cue sometimes, learning from animals.

Animals are not pretentious! They may be full of antics designed mainly as sign languages. They are not conniving though animals in packs are known to plan ambush. They are not mean! When they rebuke or fight, it is generally for survival or propagation reasons.

They don’t cheat! Though they could be cunning but then again it is for strategic reasons. They are not ungrateful! Rarely do they bite the hands that feed them. They are loyal and have been known to sacrifice themselves purely out of love.

They don’t abuse their young! Lions are known to devour their cubs but again predominantly for sexual reasons since the lioness will not mate when she has cubs. Animals are not avaricious! They will eat their share, accumulate none (except for winter ration nuts) and leave scraps and pieces to other scavengers.

Animals don’t back stab! They would usually confront or run away from any compromising events. They are not malicious except perhaps for leopards that are known to hunt for sport. 

They don’t cause environmental carnage just out of greed or disregard. They are easily satisfied too! They don’t destroy in order to build! They fight fair and don’t use weapons! Few are aggressive or antagonistic! There is no bribery! There is no incarceration! There is no blackmail! They kill for self-preservation but don’t murder. They don’t persecute or torture! They don’t bear false witness! They are guided by their natural instincts and seem to learn pretty fast too. They can be apologetic but don’t know embarrassment.

Listen closely, for through them God speaks!

The list can go on and on. But the good side to man is also ever as endearing. There is love, charity and sacrifice. The corruption on man’s knowledge and consciousness is the issue. Conscience can be subdued. Therefore some would like to equate Adam and Eve’s episode with the apple symbolizing the “fruit of knowledge”. Once knowledge is awaken it gives rise to the other ills.

But personally, most humans resort to dastardly acts simply because they have not the conviction of faith in the after-life! “Do all you want for after death comes nothing” seems to be more like it – knowing fair well that they would not be able to take their possessions to the grave! Perhaps so, but since this is the only life they are going to get, why not live with dignity. Why be a ‘hypocrite’?