I met a friend in the park several days ago. We sat on a bench and filled each other in on what had been going on in the months since we’d last talked. It was nearly lunch time and the lawn was filled with the usual assortment of ducks and smiling young families feeding them. One boy, who looked to be about three, stumbled from his parents and chased after a few mallards.
“Why can’t these parents teach their kids any respect for the ducks?”
The statement hit my ear in an odd way. Respect the ducks? Actually I’d winced when my daughter’s step son chased after the ducks. I said something gently, without pushing, but I wasn’t sure how his parents felt about it so I let it go at that.
“At least if the duck feels threatened it will fly instead of waddling.”
I said it a bit sheepishly. I thought kids would be kids and they certainly all seem compelled to run at the things, watch them scurry, hear them quack. Perhaps expecting parents to use an opportunity of a fun lunch in the park as an occasion to teach duck respect was a bit harsh?
This morning I was out just as the sun came up and the park was still in a cool, gray light. I like the time, listening to the water with no one around. I sit on a bench and read, with the ducks all minding their own business. They know me and know I bring a book and not bread. A few stayed sleeping under my bench, others slept across the grass field with their heads tucked under their wings. A few stirred, but just found another position and sat down again as soon as they realized it was still a while till breakfast time.
I looked across the lawn at the sleeping ducks. They’re some how unnatural, sleeping around people, waiting for handouts instead of hunting. Maybe they aren’t deserving of respect? They’re kind of like homeless people, living in the park. And it hit me. Yes, pretty much exactly like homeless people. What would I say to a child who chased a homeless man? How would I teach a child who had no sense that a homeless person was worthy of respect? Aren’t all living things deserving of respect? The beautiful chevron of ducks that herald the coming of spring as well as the mixed village that lives on stale bread? What a complex point of view.
What a perfect word respect is. I really need to listen faster.