"Is it good or bad to just run into a fire for someone in a fire?"
-Both, it's good because you can save someone, but bad I guess because you could get hurt.
"But what if the fire burns you too? Why do you run into the fire?"
-After he said this my mouth parted slightly as if I were going to say something in reply, but my eyes could only stare as he distractedly focused his attention back to the ruler he was using to make a bridge- completely unaware of the lesson he had just taught me. He was talking about firemen of course, when he asked me if it was good or bad to just run into a fire, but I let the lesson sink into me on a philosophical level.
Why do we run into fire for others when the chances of getting hurt ourselves is so clearly high? Maybe this isn't the right question. It's good we run into fire for others despite the possibility of getting hurt, it shows the intense compassion humans hold. Maybe, a better question is what happens when we run into a fire to save someone?
There a few scenarios that come to mind. The first being the most optimistic: we save that someone. The second less so: we save that someone while burning ourselves. And finally, the third and least optimistic of the three: we don't save that someone and we get burned. All are possible and probable scenarios given your situation.
I think it's part of the human condition to help those in need, but when we put our own life in danger and do not succeed, who helps you then?
If you didn't know, Lawrence is a mentally handicapped student I've had the pleasure to get to know this year in 6th period art. His lessons are simple and timeless. I hope have the opportunity of hearing more.
No comments:
Post a Comment