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Lessons from the Animal World: A reflection on parenting, leadership
The video you are about to watch is a lesson in good parenting and leadership instincts, as demonstrated by creatures in the animal world.
I am a pet lover and have always owned pets throughout my adult life.
Two of my favourite dogs were named “Tiger” and “Lobo.” Both were cared for and treated as part of my family, and they remain unforgettable.
I am glad that a few of my children and grandchildren, male and female alike, have inherited my love for animals. I thank God for this.
I also owned a parrot named “ASU,” a name derived from the reversed acronym for “USA”, my home away from home.
I hold the USA in high regard as the greatest experiment in human history and a country that has given me the opportunity to become all I aspire to be. It has enabled me to help not only my immediate family but also humanity at large.
I was patient enough to teach ASU to speak English. He would often repeat after me, saying, “ASU is a dirty bird.”
ASU instinctively knew and remembered the names of all my children, addressing them just as I did. He was a beloved member of our family.
But guess what? You may be curious to know what eventually happened to ASU before I relocated from Lagos to New York.
We used to carry ASU in a big cage to give him ample room to move around. During the day, we placed the cage on the balcony, but we brought it inside at night. However, one weekend while I was away from Lagos, my house help or children forgot to bring ASU and his cage indoors.
The following morning, hoodlums in Lagos broke into the balcony and stole both ASU and his cage.
That incident was the last straw for me as I contemplated whether to relocate to New York. The sudden loss of ASU was too much for me to bear, especially as I had been planning to take him with me. Many of my children can attest to this.
I was certain that ASU would have been yelling our names and protesting his captivity. He might have even gone on a hunger strike and eventually died of separation anxiety.
The world and most of God’s creations are simply mysterious if you think deeply about them.
Now, watch this amazing video to see the mysterious work of “nature”, or perhaps I should say God through the parenting instincts of the incredible creatures featured in it.
Some of these creatures demonstrate qualities that surpass those of some humans, who abandon their babies in garbage dumps and leave them to die.
This is why I believe that those who deny the existence of God or a Supreme Deity must be living in delusion or a fool’s paradise.
I now understand why Muslims continually chant “Allahu Akbar” (God is truly great) and why Buddhists consistently chant “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.”
Enjoy the video as much as I do.
Happy Thanksgiving in advance to you all.
I rest my case.
Prince Dr Wumi Akintide writes from Oyemekun Terrace New York City USA
