How many of us can actually control our cravings :). Every human has certain cravings and is bound to fail resisting those. Its all about the mental strength which in turn makes that resistance possible. Now let’s compare cravings with the normal real means for sustaining. Can we humans, ever become so controllable that we can control our critical means of sustenance? This is really going to be interesting. Think about it like this - Can humans ever become so obedient that we can start avoiding our basics :) lol.
Animals, I must say have a strong mental strength and their loyalty towards their owners is actually the foremost thing they live for. "Otters" are a semi-aquatic fish eating mammals.
(Wiki link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otter). Traditionally, Otters were very common for helping fisherman to catch fishes and this was once a very common practice in the world. In England, Otter fishermen existed until the end of the 19th century. These animals have some great abilities of finding fish and chasing them in the nets of the fishermen. They help finding fish hiding in the swamps, where it is difficult to fish in a normal way.
In rural areas of Khulna province in Bangladesh, on some rivers and swamps, one can still find fishermen who keep Otters to help them with fishing. Historically, fishing with Otters has been practiced in two ways. Using methods similar to those used in training dogs, the animals are taught either to catch individual fish and bring them to their masters or to drive fish into their masters fishing nets.
These animals are so loyal and trained that they catch fish in their mouth and bring back the fishes to the fisherman's boats. Interestingly Otter's staple food is also fish, often supplemented by frogs, crabs etc. I am quiet surprised to see this behavior. An animal who normally feeds on fishes, in this case catches fishes in his mouth and brings back the catch to the owner's (fisherman's) boat. After the days work fisherman appraises the work of the Otter's by feeding them heavily on fishes. So, basically an animal waits until his owner gifts him food and until that time it just does what is assigned to him ignoring his basic craving and his critical feed of living.
Ironically, I can never relate this loyal behavior of Otters to any of the characteristics of humans. This is one of the finest example of loyalty and restraining ones cravings. I wish, we humans can at least learn from these findings, if not imbibe.
Watch out a documentary on Otters -
posted by Rupreet @ 1:18 PM
7 Comments:
Interesting observations...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi Rupreet,
Interesting observations and more interesting parallel drawn. I never knew you had such good observations. The contrast between loyalty and craving was superbly done, wherein you projected, how one should claim its reward after performing the job assigned to him and not becoming greedy and devouring all the resources themselves. I wish some of our politician did read your this blog and learn from these otters the values you have preached.... Good one.. Keep it up.
Hmmmm.....Was just getting bored surfing the net when came across your mail and checked your blog....The write up was amazing and the extract describing the loyalty amongst animals that surpasses the instinct of craving was just too goood...
papppe tussi top ho....atom bomb...Jio mere laaal
Abhinav Joshi
Hmmmm.....Was just getting bored surfing the net when came across your mail and checked your blog....The write up was amazing and the extract describing the loyalty amongst animals that surpasses the instinct of craving was just too goood...
papppe tussi top ho....atom bomb...Jio mere laaal
Abhinav Joshi
I have following random thoughts while reading your post.
* Similar behavior can be seen with hunting birds as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconry
* We all know how to control our cravings. When you cannot control your cravings it is called addiction.
* Even for (some?)animals, basic necessities of life (eg hunger, safty) is not the most powerful feeling. It is widely believed that Shivaji's dog jumped into the funeral pyre of Shivaji. Where does this behavior defying natural instincts come from?
* While donkeys and horses have been tamed, we cannot do the same with Zebra. same goes with Fox. Even for household cat is believed to be quite independent from its "masters". Does that mean only a few species exhibit this kind of behavior?
* Can we draw a parallel to this behavior with our corporate culture. we the otters do the hard work and earn heaps of money and at the end of the month a miniscule part of it is thrown at you.
Interesting parallel drawn. Here would be my extension of cravings vs loyalty to homo-sapiens, All the bank employees do handle money day in and out but only take away what they are awarded "as per their package". Similar is the cook profession, or a weaver
[Just shows Humans are more evolved than animals, although sometimes they act over the board :) and so need regulation and laws]
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