The photo challenge for this week invites us to share a photo that captures an entire story in a single frame. Here is my interpretation.
And what is the story? Is it merely a story of kids going to the zoo? Does the story that you see here have something to say about animals, including the human animal? Something about conservation? Something about family entertainment? Something about cages and behavior? Something about connecting to other life forms? Something about curiosity? Whose curiosity — the child’s or the lion’s?
I always have mixed feelings, some very strong, that arise when I visit a zoo. Sadness. Respect. Appreciation. Embarrassment. Regret. Awe. The story is pretty complex, and there are many characters. When we get caught up in our own narrative and forget that there is more than one, we limit our compassion, our awareness.
It’s interesting to overhear what mothers and teachers tell their children about the animals behind the glass. “Oh, look. There’s the Daddy lion and the Mommy lion and they’re doing _______!” Are you sure that’s what they are and what they’re doing? Have you projected your own story onto them? Do you often do that and teach your children to do that? What might you learn if you tried to look at their behavior through unbiased eyes?
You see, this story gets pretty complicated. It’s worth looking into.
Now look what you’ve done!
I’m exhausted thinking of all the possibilities……You do that to me sometimes, when all I really want to do is look at the picture of the big cuddly pussy-cat.
It’s just me…I’m a happy air-head!
S
x
I get to exercise my brain every morning when Mrs Shpics insist I tie my own shoelaces……
Life is tough enough without your challenges as well.
But I do like the picture of the big pussy-cat..
🙂
Well, good. 🙂
Whew.!
Glad you’re pleased…Now back to these shoelaces.
I query the idea that humans have a right to see wild animals… I don’t really thnk they do. Animals however have a right to be wild.. all this doesn’t stop me going to places like Longleat safari park occasionally and then feeling guilty about it.. complex creatures human beings you know.. full of contradictions
Great shot! I’d love to see it slightly cropped, black and white – a powerful image I think, with as you say so many ways you could read it. (I’m one of those “million things from one” thinkers too..!)
The photo challenge for this week invites us to share a photo that captures an entire story in a single frame. Here is my interpretation. 
So many mixed feelings about Zoos. I see the child and animal communicating on a level adults can’t access.
Yes, that too…unless the adult is extremely open-minded. 🙂
That is a closeup 🙂 ! Great shot!
Thanks!
Now look what you’ve done!
I’m exhausted thinking of all the possibilities……You do that to me sometimes, when all I really want to do is look at the picture of the big cuddly pussy-cat.
It’s just me…I’m a happy air-head!
S
x
“Challenge” is the name of the game, my dear. I get to challenge my viewers, too! (think of it as visual ginko to exercise your brain)
I get to exercise my brain every morning when Mrs Shpics insist I tie my own shoelaces……
Life is tough enough without your challenges as well.
But I do like the picture of the big pussy-cat..
🙂
Well, good. 🙂
Whew.!
Glad you’re pleased…Now back to these shoelaces.
I query the idea that humans have a right to see wild animals… I don’t really thnk they do. Animals however have a right to be wild.. all this doesn’t stop me going to places like Longleat safari park occasionally and then feeling guilty about it.. complex creatures human beings you know.. full of contradictions
Yes, we are. Something tells us to value autonomy; ours and other creatures’.
Great shot! I’d love to see it slightly cropped, black and white – a powerful image I think, with as you say so many ways you could read it. (I’m one of those “million things from one” thinkers too..!)
Thanks for the idea…yeah, I think I can lose the ‘exit’ signs with some more cropping. And monochrome might punch up the drama a bit, even.