NPR has come out with a new segment called “this I believe” and I absolutely love it. Today’s segment focused on Harold Taw, a Burmese-born Seattle resident who feeds monkeys on his birthday.
It sounds funny, I know, but it’s a great story and speaks volumes of the importance of family and the individual.
When Mr. Taw was born, a blind Burmese monk predicted that his birth would bring great fortune to his family. However, to ensure this, Mr. Taw would need to feed monkeys on his birthday.
Sounds weird, I know, but I love the symbolism behind it:
On a day normally given over to narcissism, I must consider my family and give nourishment to another living creature.
I strongly recommend you reading/listening to this essay on the NPR website.
—Alberto