Even after several weeks,
every time I read this little story I start to cry:
My
sister-in-law...teaches physically and mentally handicapped children at
a private school in Brooklyn. She recently attended a Special
Olympics and went to the starting line of the 100-yard dash with 6 eager
contestants. As the starting
whistle sounded, a boy tripped, fell and began to cry. All the other runners stopped, turned and went
back to help. Then they all held hands and went on to the finish
line together. Needless to say,
everyone in the stands cheered.
[from
the June 11, 2001 New York Times Metropolitan Diary
section]
Why am I so moved?
There are tears of joy mixed
with tears of sadness.
Tears of joy, for the pure
camaraderie, selflessness and love embodied by these children.
Tears of sadness, for how far
from such behavior we adults have wandered.
Wouldn't it be nice if, at
least once in a while, we could pause in our race for money and power; turn
around to see the suffering of those we have left behind; go back and help
these less able ones to their feet; and then walk forward together with
them, arm in arm.
And on a grander scale, how
sweet the thought of entire nations acting similarly toward those countries
which have tripped on the path to prosperity and well-being.
Of course, on the individual
as well as on the international level, a more accurate analogy would have
those left behind having been deliberately tripped by those winning the
race, but never mind that now. Just the thought of such a change in
the ways of the world is oh! so nice.
