Learn humanity from animals

Lately, reading some of the news in the newspapers, I cannot help being dismayed and disgusted by news concerning children.

There are people who throw newborn babies in the garbage heaps, or kidnap children in order to sell their vital organs. There are children who are obliged to steal, to beg for alms, to prostitute themselves, and worst still, who are killed after having been raped and tortured and so on. Being news, such events are emphasized by the media.

On the other hand, there are some other news which should end up on the front page but are relegated as a paragraph to the foot of a page, as happened a few days ago.

While visiting a zoo, a three-year-old child fell into the cage of a she-gorilla, which is generally considered one of the strongest and wildest of animals, especially if they live in captivity. The she-gorilla took the girl and after having fondled her for a while, handed the baby back to her parents.

I really wonder why human beings behaving like animals deserve the front page while a so-called "animal" acting like a human being is relegated to the foot of a page.

Thinking in paradoxes, I believe that very often, should we follow animals' example and behavior, we could learn what "humanity" is.

PIERO RONCI

Jakarta