Lessons from the Deep: A Tale of Fair-Mindedness at the Aquarium

Good day, dear reader. Today, I want to share a tale that takes us beneath the surface, both literally and metaphorically. It’s a story about a trip to the aquarium, but more importantly, it’s a lesson in fair-mindedness.

The Aquarium Visit

Many moons ago, I took my young grandson, Billy, to the local aquarium. The place was teeming with life, a riot of colors and shapes, each tank a window into a different world. Billy was particularly fascinated by the sharks. He stood, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, as these magnificent creatures glided effortlessly through the water.

The Unfair Judgement

As we stood there, another visitor, a young boy around Billy’s age, joined us. He pointed at the sharks and declared them ‘bad’ because they eat other fish. Billy, always the thinker, turned to me and asked, “Granddad, are sharks bad?”

The Lesson in Fair-Mindedness

I knelt down to his level and said, “Billy, sharks aren’t ‘bad’. They’re just doing what they need to survive. It’s not fair to judge them based on our human standards. That’s what being fair-minded is all about. It’s about understanding that everyone has their own role to play, their own path to walk. And it’s not for us to judge them based on our own.”

Billy thought for a moment, then nodded. “So, the sharks are just being sharks, right Granddad?”

“Exactly, Billy. Just like we’re just being humans.”

Applying the Lesson

Now, dear reader, you might be wondering what this story has to do with you. Well, just like Billy, we all have moments where we judge others unfairly. We look at their actions through our own lens, forgetting that they have their own unique circumstances and challenges.

Being fair-minded means stepping back and trying to see the world from their perspective. It means suspending judgement and seeking to understand before we form an opinion. It’s a lesson I learned from a trip to the aquarium, and it’s one I hope you’ll take to heart.

Remember, my friends, the world is a vast, diverse place, just like that aquarium. Let’s strive to be fair-minded, to understand before we judge. Because in the end, we’re all just trying to navigate this ocean of life the best way we know how.

Until next time,

Kev