Can a self-proclaimed loser be a prophet?
As a boy, one of the first fables I learned was “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” The story is of a little boy who cries “Wolf, Wolf!” to get the attention of his mother. His mother – goes into her maternal mode – and rushes to him. There is no wolf, only a scheming boy who likes to see his mother panic. His mother responds a few times to these antics, but then one day she tires of his scheming and doesn’t run to his side. That was the day the wolf devoured the boy.
Many insecure people want to be heard. They may study hard, work hard and play hard in order to make a favorable impression on authority figures whose attention they crave.
Far too often these losers are over-sensitive and even a minor criticism can send them into a tailspin. Finally, they become just another lump-of-clay ostrich with its head in the sand.
The worst-case scenario is that they will dress up in fatigues, purchase a few Uzi machineguns with a ton of ammunition and prepare to wipe out anyone – everyone – because their cries of “Wolf, Wolf!” fell on deaf ears.
The title of this piece is, from my perspective, rhetorical. Of course, we must listen to the marginalized people on our planet. They have knowledge and life lessons which can turn tragedy into bliss, poverty into riches for themselves and others – despite appearances to the contrary.
Many of the marginalized know that they know a lot, and are enthusiastically awaiting the chance to be taken seriously for once in their life. They don’t want to be eaten by the wolf again. They just want to have their fifteen minutes of fame rather than a swan-song of infamy.
In this century it is my prayer that we can all understand that every child needs attention of the positive kind. No all children (or adults) learn and filter information in a standard manner. Each precious soul – not just the ones with cocky mien or stunning looks – has a treasure or fifty to share with the world.
Too much emphasis is placed on the concept that a master must walk the talk. We never doubt that a physically handicapped person can offer divine inspiration and wisdom from the seat of his pants.
Those with personality handicaps and character flaws also deserve our undivided
attention, despite their glaring gaffs and maladroitness. Give them their moment in the sun and they may just shine. Give them a few moments, and they will star.
As human beings spinning in the all-knowing yet unknowable cosmos, we are only as great as our weakest links. Greatness is truly in all our specie, and acts of thoughtfulness, kindness and love should not and must not be reserved for only the hand-picked few of our human litter.
Adopt a misfit today. Let there be peace on earth.
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