We are in Sun City, the retirement capitol of the world! Many people play golf here on one of the MANY courses, and most people, whether or not they play golf, own a golf cart. They are fun open-air vehicles that don't go much faster than 30 mph, and can be used on most streets here in town.
Yesterday Deb and I decided to go for a ride - fresh air, sunshine and all that! We had some rolls left over from the previous supper, and decided to donate them to the ducks at one of the local ponds, so off we went.
When we arrived, we were swarmed by pigeons, who I suppose thought that they were going to get the hand-out, but we had our minds made up - this bread was for the ducks! As we approached the water's edge with our bag of goodies, the ducks swam quickly to greet us, hoping that our sack contained their snack.
After that fifteen minute experience, we have decided that the ducks are no different from humans in their need to be first, their selfish greed and their eagerness to do whatever it takes to get ahead!
Two black ducks seemed to be standing on top of the water as they fought each other over a few crumbs. They snipped and bit each other, and the battle finally ended when one ducked under the water and bobbed up elsewhere. But that wasn't enough for the aggressor, who quickly paddled to where his partner had popped up, to snip and bite at him again!
One brown duck, who Deb's granddaughter had named "Peanut Butter" was a target of much jealousy, as Deb tried, almost in vain, to see that Peanut Butter got her fair share. Two other brown ducks attacked, attempting to chase her away from the landing bread scraps.
There was one pure white duck on the pond in the midst of beautiful iridescent purple and green headed mallards. "Whitey" seemed to shrink back, reticent to swim forward within reach of the bread. This was the shy duck, more interested in harmony with the others than in eating himself.
Most swam as fast as possible to bread scraps landing in the water from the shore. They would circle and dive for the bread as for lost treasure. Actually, the scene was reminiscent of a football game's big tacle or a parade, where candy is being thrown to the bystanders from people on a passing float.
"I want, I want, Gimmee, That's mine!, Me first, It's my turn." Ever watch a group of people wanting to be the first to board a plane or a train or a bus? It's as if the world will come to an end if they aren't first to board.I guess it's about survival, but are we so self-centered and selfish, that we, like the ducks, don't care who we hurt as long as we get "it" first and make sure that what we do get is the BEST? Do we step on others to get to the top?
Watch people for a week or two, and write in with your thoughts. See how many "Whiteys" you can find in the crowd versus the others who will do whatever they can to get "the bread."
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