Of mice and liberty
Disclaimer: Overall, I had a happy childhood. My childhood has had no effect on the disturbed person I am nowadays. There are other factors that have contributed to that.
I think I've always been very concerned with rights and liberty. It's probably why I'm enjoying my philosophical studies so much, as well as fighting for international student rights here in Australia.
When I was two, and didn't yet speak a lot of words, my brother was charged with looking after the class mascot, a little mouse, over the summer break. This little mouse lived in a cage, and I found this quite objectionable, and I took the opportunity of freeing the little creature from its cage when nobody was looking.
Later on, after the mouse had been reunited with its abode, I was scolded, told that the mouse did not belong to me, and I was not to let it run loose again.
I did not, however, take any heed of these words, as I didn't believe that the mouse should have been in the cage. Thus, I repeated my rebellious acts. No matter where they moved the mouse to, I would find a way to reach it and free it.
Finally, exasperated, my mother asked me, "Why??"
I have no recollection of this, but my mother has told me, with an amused grin, that my reply to this, in very formal Thai - such that should not be coming from a two year old's mouth - and who knows where I picked up the words! - was:
"It demands liberty"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
I think, based on my deep-rooted notions of liberty for all, I think one day "when I grow up", I'd really like to work in the field of human rights... It might just be my calling...
That's if I ever decide to "grow up".
Oh wait... what am I saying? I think I already am working in that field... after all, what's NLC?
I think I've always been very concerned with rights and liberty. It's probably why I'm enjoying my philosophical studies so much, as well as fighting for international student rights here in Australia.
When I was two, and didn't yet speak a lot of words, my brother was charged with looking after the class mascot, a little mouse, over the summer break. This little mouse lived in a cage, and I found this quite objectionable, and I took the opportunity of freeing the little creature from its cage when nobody was looking.
Later on, after the mouse had been reunited with its abode, I was scolded, told that the mouse did not belong to me, and I was not to let it run loose again.
I did not, however, take any heed of these words, as I didn't believe that the mouse should have been in the cage. Thus, I repeated my rebellious acts. No matter where they moved the mouse to, I would find a way to reach it and free it.
Finally, exasperated, my mother asked me, "Why??"
I have no recollection of this, but my mother has told me, with an amused grin, that my reply to this, in very formal Thai - such that should not be coming from a two year old's mouth - and who knows where I picked up the words! - was:
"It demands liberty"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
I think, based on my deep-rooted notions of liberty for all, I think one day "when I grow up", I'd really like to work in the field of human rights... It might just be my calling...
That's if I ever decide to "grow up".
Oh wait... what am I saying? I think I already am working in that field... after all, what's NLC?