rhinoceros
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Genes, chemical surges and reason
« on: 2003-03-06 06:51:42 » |
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[rhinoceros]
Here are two short Aesop fables.
The Dancing Monkeys
A prince had some monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of men's actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage. The monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts.
The Scorpion and the Frog
The scorpion asked the frog for a piggyback ride across the river. "How do I know you won't sting me?" said the frog. "Because if I do," replied the scorpion, "I will die too. I cannot swim." This seemed to make sense to the frog. Midway across the stream the scorpion stung the frog. "Why?" moaned the frog. "Because I can't help myself," replied the scorpion. "It's my nature."
[rhinoceros]
Notice that these stories have been crafted with non-human animals as actors, and their outcome is supposed to make them look silly. Humans do have their own genetic traits and chemical surges, but they are held responsible for them. They often mention them when apologizing.
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