Life In A Pond
Below Mount Keira
Twice at mid-day they scurried across the grass and footpath from one pond to the next. In two separate groups,they represented two different generations of the protected species dwelling in the reserve where my office is located. At dawn, I can see them lying on the slopes surrounding the pond, in couples or in family groups. I think these ducks live in a world of their own, but they are not oblivious to the on-goings of other denizens who share their environment.
There are many different types of ponds on Earth, the biggest being the planet itself. However, most of us have carved out niches and perspectives according to the requirements and pleasures of the specific ponds we choose for ourselves. Some of these ponds need not be side by side, but they have to be connected, whether in belief, physical facility or cyberspace. Some ponds remain in a corner of a part of the world. There are systems and ways of behaviour in each pond - they can involve rituals, laws or a relative sense of freedom, self-imposed or regulated by those in power by sheer majority or ownership of controlling tools. Although most recognise the concentric circle nature of such social pond structures, some choose to succumb to the realities of limited ponds, and others thrive in moving flexibly from pond to pond. Yet others yearn to return to the pond of their birth, or their forebears do so.
Individuals do get yanked from the pond of their comfort to new, alien communities. The new ponds may not even offer the same quality and conditions of sustaining water.
Many yearn for ponds which they see beyond the horizon or have not visited but have heard about. Others do not believe at all in changing ponds and cope with whatever comes in the pond of their birth, come hell or high water. An individual's preference can be an aversion to another. Increasingly, large or small ponds - depending on how they organise themselves - are becoming fused with cultures and thinking amalgamated from the influx of various migrants from other ponds.
I think of the ducks outside my University office. There seems to be a leader to lead the convoy of fast-paced ducks crossing from one pond to the other. There are the followers, all lined up in a straight order of things. There is the deep sense of joy splashing in the water once they have reached the safety of the destination pond. The ducks happily splash their feathers in the otherwise still water. New generations are born and someone always keep watch over the group. To outsiders, it may look like a placid and serene life. I am sure they have their share of political drama, personal feelings and social togetherness.
The only difference between their and our human ponds is that we have better ways of transversing between our network of ponds.
Twice at mid-day they scurried across the grass and footpath from one pond to the next. In two separate groups,they represented two different generations of the protected species dwelling in the reserve where my office is located. At dawn, I can see them lying on the slopes surrounding the pond, in couples or in family groups. I think these ducks live in a world of their own, but they are not oblivious to the on-goings of other denizens who share their environment.
There are many different types of ponds on Earth, the biggest being the planet itself. However, most of us have carved out niches and perspectives according to the requirements and pleasures of the specific ponds we choose for ourselves. Some of these ponds need not be side by side, but they have to be connected, whether in belief, physical facility or cyberspace. Some ponds remain in a corner of a part of the world. There are systems and ways of behaviour in each pond - they can involve rituals, laws or a relative sense of freedom, self-imposed or regulated by those in power by sheer majority or ownership of controlling tools. Although most recognise the concentric circle nature of such social pond structures, some choose to succumb to the realities of limited ponds, and others thrive in moving flexibly from pond to pond. Yet others yearn to return to the pond of their birth, or their forebears do so.
Individuals do get yanked from the pond of their comfort to new, alien communities. The new ponds may not even offer the same quality and conditions of sustaining water.
Many yearn for ponds which they see beyond the horizon or have not visited but have heard about. Others do not believe at all in changing ponds and cope with whatever comes in the pond of their birth, come hell or high water. An individual's preference can be an aversion to another. Increasingly, large or small ponds - depending on how they organise themselves - are becoming fused with cultures and thinking amalgamated from the influx of various migrants from other ponds.
I think of the ducks outside my University office. There seems to be a leader to lead the convoy of fast-paced ducks crossing from one pond to the other. There are the followers, all lined up in a straight order of things. There is the deep sense of joy splashing in the water once they have reached the safety of the destination pond. The ducks happily splash their feathers in the otherwise still water. New generations are born and someone always keep watch over the group. To outsiders, it may look like a placid and serene life. I am sure they have their share of political drama, personal feelings and social togetherness.
The only difference between their and our human ponds is that we have better ways of transversing between our network of ponds.
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