The dawn of compassion

“Hold Mars,” Declan told me, pressing a plastic ball into my hands.

“Now tell it you won’t hit it, push it or hurt it,” he said.

“I promise I won’t hit you, push you or hurt you,” I told the red planet replica. “You are my friend, and I will be kind and gentle with you.”

I stood up and handed it back to Declan.

“Do you understand me?” He asked. I nodded.

I may have to rename the dog Mars.

Last night, “Monster House” came on one of the family movie channels. Absentmindedly thinking it was fine for him to watch because it was animated, I left it on.

In the first moments, a scary old man grabs a tricycle away from a little girl, then breaks it and confiscates it. Declan’s face fell and his eyes welled with tears.

“He… he broke it!” He said, turned to me, his bottom lip was quivering.

“I know. That was mean, wasn’t it?” I replied.

“But what if she needs it?” He shook his head, clearly still stung by the cruelty of the scene.

The plot shifted to another character. I convinced Declan that the new boy on the screen was going to help the girl get her bike back, then I distracted him into hugs and storybooks and turned the TV off.

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5 thoughts on “The dawn of compassion”

  1. Oh, that is both heartbreaking and joyous at the same time! It is heartbreaking in the sense that no parent wants their child to feel the pain of sadness but it is joyous to see compassion being outwardly expressed by your little baby…

    It is a momentous occasion!

  2. I liked tha animation , it was so much like Polar Express. The kids that enjoy it are close to 4th and 5th graders. We had a split vote in our house amougnst the grand kids. Olders loved the character Chowder and the movie was great, the little one were hung up on the evil, scarey house.
    TJ

  3. I agree with l.a.mama —
    it breaks my heart but it also joyous. It’s unfortunate that they make these kids’ movies that often scare the heck out of ’em but it’s wonderful that he responded with such kindness and consideration.

    Bravo to you for turning off the TV!

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