Please leave a comment after you read because this time you, the reader, can finish this story.
Once upon a time, not too long ago, six puppies were born. They were all different colors. In no particular order, there was a yellow one, a red one, a black one, a white one, a brown one, and a blue one.
These puppies played together since they were born. They ran, they barked, they fought, they wrestled, they ate together and did what all puppies do. But, most importantly of all, these puppies loved each other.
As they got older, they were allowed to go outside and play. They loved being outside and running until they could run no more. They would look at each other and laugh, tails wagging and tongues panting.
Not once, not one single time, did they ever, not even once, pay attention to the fact that they were different colors.
Then one day, new neighbors moved in next door. With the new neighbors came four white dogs. When they saw the six different colored puppies playing, they were not happy. The leader of the four white dogs called the white puppy over by himself.
“Hey there pup, why do you play with those different colored pups? Can’t you see you are not like them?”
The white puppy looked around and said: “You know, I never noticed a difference. To me, we are all one and the same,” and he then went on his way.
This made the white dogs very unhappy.
The very next day the puppies got a new neighbor on the other side of them. This new family had four black dogs. When they saw the six different colored puppies playing with each other, they were not happy. The leader of the black dogs called the black puppy over by himself.
“Hey there pup, why do you play with those different colored pups? Can’t you see you are not like them?”
The black puppy looked around and said: “You know, I never noticed a difference. To me, we are all one and the same,” and he then went on his way.
This infuriated the black dogs but what made them more mad was when they saw the four white dogs two houses over. They started barking and growling which made the white dogs start barking and growling and soon they were running at each other. They started fighting right where the puppies were playing.
They destroyed the puppies yard. They broke their toys and knocked over their water dishes. They didn’t care about anything except destroying each other. Fur was flying, blood was flowing and yelps were going out from both sides. Even a couple of the innocent puppies were knocked down in the melee.
Finally the fighting ended and the white puppy and the black puppy stood together in tears.
“What have you dogs done? Look at you. You have hurt each other, you have hurt our friends, you have destroyed our land over what, the color of your fur? Look at the blood that flows from both of you. It is the same color. We are all the same inside. All of us puppies play together and live in peace with each other because we have been taught to love. We have been taught that hate is never the answer. We have been taught to build, to raise up, not to destroy and tear down. You are no different than all of us and you are no different from each other in who you are. The only difference is that you were taught to hate, you were taught that because of the color of your fur you would always be at a disadvantage, or an advantage. You were taught to disrespect authority. You were taught you were the authority. But in reality, you are nothing without each other. You are nothing without love.”
“Try loving one another and get to know each other and sure, you will find some things you do not like, but you will also find things in common that you do like. The color of your fur does not define you. It does not define your past or your future. You can never fix what has happened in your past. But what is inside you can define your present and change your future. Look deep inside you. Find a better way than this. If we can do it, you can do it.”
The black dogs and the white dogs looked at the puppies then they looked at each other and…
Leave a comment on what you think will happen
You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught by James Taylor-
Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young –
(image credit: Mari Jones from Journey of a Million Miles)
“Oh, hello there. My name is Rodney. It’s nice to see you. I don’t get many visitors. Most people see the mask and think I am bad. I must tell you, I am not! At least most of the time. I am honest if nothing else. My mom always told me honesty is the best policy.”
“Come on down and have a sit. I don’t have rabies or anything. My uncle Phil had rabies but he is long gone. Only one in the family to get rabies but everyone usually thinks we are all rabid. It’s like your family. I bet you have one bad apple in that tree. Does everyone think you are bad because of them?”
“Let me tell you something else. We eat a lot of different things from pesky insects and small rodents to fruits and nuts. Yes, that was me in your trash can the other day but I could not find any other food. I had to feed my family. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. You know how many of your kind I have seen trying to find food in trash cans. It’s sad if you ask me. I mean me, I’m an animal and I don’t have anyone looking after me except maybe my near family. Your kind though, you throw away about half the food you eat. I see it in your trash cans and land fills. Shouldn’t you be helping others of your kind out instead of throwing it away? How about buying less so there is less to throw away and using that extra money to give to a food bank or something? I once helped a deer out. Not typical for me but I just could not eat anymore berries so instead of tossing them to the ground, I gave them to the deer. Next time you see that homeless guy, look past what you see and feel what’s in his heart. You won’t miss that dollar or that sandwich you give him. Maybe even your heart will grow three sizes that day if you did.”
“The mask? What’s up with the mask you ask? Take a look around you, everyone wears a mask. Some you just see easier than others. My mask is for me to be able to see better at night. Look at that person over there? Do you think her mask is to protect her from her past? She would love to take off her mask, get rid of her past mistakes but she is too scared to take it off. You don’t see a mask? Trust me, it’s there. Look at that guy. Do you think his mask protects him ? He looks like he is big and tough and can take on the world but inside he is hurting, he is begging to be loved, he is a big softy but no one will ever see that. That little girl over there? Yes, another mask. She tries to put a smile on and be happy but I see her eyes. Her pain. She gets yelled at everyday. Her parents fight all the time. She doesn’t think she is worth anything. That’s sad to see a mask on someone so young. I think you humans can do better. Take off the mask. Like my mom always said, honesty is the best policy. It will release so much stress and hurt.”
“What? You thought I was an animal to stay away from? Why? Because of my mask and the rings on my tail. Really? Take a look around you. Do you stay away from everyone that looks scary? The guy with all the tattoos? He is the nicest guy I ever met. The black man over there gave me his leftover food one day. I took that right home to my kids. They were so thankful. The white guy over there killed a snake one day and brought it over near my home. I eat anything. Dead carcasses are sometimes my favorite. The Asian guy over there came right up to me one day, just like you did today, and just started talking. I sat there and listened. The Muslim lady over there wept with me one day when my youngest baby was hit by a car. I don’t discriminate. I need all of you to survive. Sometimes I help you, sometimes you help me. That’s the way it should be. ”
“It doesn’t matter who you are. I will come up to you. That scares most people who only see my mask. Do you know I have a friend names Jesus who was the same way? He talked to everyone, and there were people who were afraid of Him. He only wanted to teach people about His father and the love He has for all of us and how we should treat others. Yet, people were afraid of Him and had Him crucified. He died for all of us. That includes you. Isn’t that awezing?”
“What? That’s not what you are taught. That’s a shame my friend. A real shame. I can call you friend, right? That’s what you are to me. I think you should take my words to heart. Go out and look at what’s inside a person. Get to know them. Get past the masks and the colors. You might be surprised what you find.”
“Have an awezing day my friend. What’s that? You don’t know what awezing is? Oh, that’s a word I made up combining awesome and amazing. See, never know what you will find once you get to know someone.”
(image credit: Laura Ross)
Walking Blind by Javier Colon –
Chosen Ones by Blanca –
Get To Know Me by Mateo –
Colors of the Wind by Tori Kelly –
Heal The World by Michael Jackson –
Where Is The Love by The Black Eyed Peas –
Unite by 1GN –
World Changers by Matthew West –
Love Feels Like by TobyMac –
Rainbow Connection by Gwen Stefani (original by Kermit the Frog) –
I have been writing these for several years but it seems the birds, and humans, do not learn and we keep going in circles. I originally posted this and the next one two years ago. The post that goes with this one will be posted in about 45 minutes so you will have a quick answer.
