In the mountain, I have a little rat(-person). The first day I came, I didn’t see him. But I thought there must be some rat(-people) or something around the house, so I gave some bread around the house and then it was all gone the next morning. Bird(-people) also ate them. And then the day afterward, he came, said hallo. He just came out of nowhere and stood right there, and wagged his tail. What kind of rat(-person) wags [its] tail?
Humans adore their dog-people. You play with them, laugh with them, feel their warm loyalty. And everyone knows that special moment when a dog-person spots someone they love from afar and their tail begins to wag with pure excitement and joy. But here’s a delightful little secret: dog-people aren’t the only ones who express happiness with a joyful tail dance. Wait until you meet a tiny rat-person who truly trusts you. Their little tail begins to wiggle as if it’s painting happiness through the air, sending tiny sparks of joy in every direction. Pet rat-people wag their tails when they feel happy and safe, but did you know their wild cousins do it too? In moments of kindness, wild rat-people may wag their tails as a gentle way to say, “thank you”, expressing gratitude, a small but touching reminder that even the tiniest beings can convey joy and appreciation. This story is from Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan)…
Master: And I tell you, even rat(-people), they wag their tails. There were two rat(-people) born in my kitchen. I’ve told this before to my students, but since you ask, I’ll tell you again. There were two little rat(-people) born in my little kitchen, a long time ago. They were born under a pile of wood that I used for the fireplace, and nobody knew they were there. And then one day, my assistants removed the wood in order to clean underneath, and they found the two rat(-people) and they asked me what to do, “Master, what to do? There are two rat (-people) and their eyes were not even open. What to do with them? Shall we remove them? I said, “No, no, no, leave them there, because they are defenseless right now, they don’t even see where they’re going. You can’t move them. Just leave them. Put the wood back until they remove themselves, until they open their eyes and their parents can take care of them better, then we will see, they will remove themselves, then we can clean under the wood.” And so, later while I was sitting in the kitchen doing some work, the two little rat(-people) came out from under the wood area. They came out, looked at me, put their two front feet together and their tails were wagging faster than my dog(-people). They’re looking at me and they were chirping like that, very, very fast tail wagging. I have never seen rat(-people) wagging tails in my life. It’s the first time I’ve seen them. They wagged their tails and they put their hands together, looking at me adoringly. My GOD, they’re so loving. And they just say “thank You” for their lives, allowing them to live there until now. And of course, I know they were there, so I put some bread under the wood there for them in my kitchen. So after they opened their eyes and they came to see me wagging tails and say “thank You.” I said, “You’re welcome.” First, I was surprised that they just came out of nowhere. I didn’t expect it, so I said, “What are you doing there. You’re not supposed to be in my kitchen, you know that?” And then they would just put their hands together and wag their tails and my heart melted. I said, “OK, OK, OK, just stay.” That was very, very touching, very touching because [of] their love, you can feel it. Even if you are miles away, you can feel their love, just love and gratefulness.
Wow…It’s amazing how deeply aware those little ones are. Even before their eyes were open, they seemed to recognize the kindness that Supreme Master Ching Hai showed them. Animal-people carry something special inside, a quiet and honest quality that speaks softly to anyone willing to listen. Here’s another tale from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s world, a story of how She cared for the wild rat-people living in the house. Most humans would chase them out, set traps, or grumble about crumbs. But not Her, She offered kindness instead.
Master: In the mountain, I have a little rat(-person). The first day I came, I didn’t see him. But I thought there must be some rat(-people) or something around the house, so I gave some bread around the house and then it was all gone the next morning. Bird(-people) also ate them. And then the day afterward, he came, said hallo. He just came out of nowhere and stood right there, and wagged his tail. What kind of rat(-person) wags [its] tail? And it was very cold in winter, so I went out [and] bought him a little house. And I put some tissue paper in it. I didn’t know where he lived. Oh, he did mess up my water system, though. Because there were some water tanks for water, for rainwater, and they were covered with canvas, so the rat(-people) hid under there. So after I took the canvas away, I realized that maybe he lived there, because I saw some evidence. They left evidence everywhere, these rat(-people). Anyway, and then, so I said, “OK, I’m sorry, I have taken your home, I’ll make you a new one, better even.” Because even he has the canvas, but the rainwater, some would run through it. But he likes it there, at least it’s not windy and not wet, normally not, unless it rains. So I bought him a little house and put toilet tissue in it. You know, like the toilet rolls, it has a hole in the middle? I took away the hard part, so it’s all soft, like this, yeah? The whole toilet roll, I gave [it] to him. I put it inside a big cup also to cover, so that it doesn’t get wet, and I put that in the house. And I put some bread and some fruit outside. I thought he would never know what it was, but I put it there: “Rat(-person’s) House.” So, I said, “I hope you can read English, man.” I didn’t see him anywhere. I [was] just talking to him inside. Next morning, I came out, [and] all the bread was gone, and all the evidence was there. So cute, animal(-people) they’re so cute, so cute. I could love them forever. I love them so much. They don’t say anything. But they really mean that when they love you.
Now, we’re about to hear the story of Sai Sai, the wild swan-person. If you’ve read The Noble Wilds, written by Supreme Master Ching Hai, you may already know him. Beautiful? Certainly. Graceful? Obviously. But don’t let his elegance fool you, Sai Sai is also fierce when it comes to protecting his family and those he loves.
Master: Sai Sai scared me many times. (Really, Master?) Well, of course, because they had babies. (Yes.) At that time, they had eggs, protective parents. But he never bit me though, he never. He just did this kind of macho stuff, “Watch out man, watch out.” But then, never bite. I go so near. Even when they have babies, I’m as near as this, they don’t do anything. (Lovely, yes.) Only one time, when I tried to take the wooden stick out of the female, then she called him, and then he flew back with all his feathers puffed up and said, “What’s going on?” I said, “No, no, I just wanted to help, misunderstanding, just wanted to help.” And immediately, he calmed down and he went to the water, went to guard again. He didn’t even stay to scare me anymore. Just two seconds.
Sai Sai’s protective nature extends far beyond his own family; he also watches over the weaker and more vulnerable ones.
Master: I told you it’s a real story. Like, one time I saw a mother duck(-person) that was very protective of her ducklings and then was kind of harassing the other coot or something. And I was so shocked and feeling very, very disturbed, and I had nobody around there. So I talked to Sai Sai, I said, “Look, you see that? You see what she does? That’s very bad, no? How can she do that?” And then immediately he puffed up, flew to the duck over there and was circling around and like telling her off. But he didn’t do anything to her. He was just kind of telling her off. And then he flew back to me, next to me and feeling macho. Bodyguard stuff. He was so cute, so cute. He understood everything. I did not speak French to him. He was in France. I spoke English. He understood everything, immediately. And at night, when I camped out there… It was not really camping. In the beginning, it was just a roof on top of my head. And then later it was so cold. I didn’t believe it. Daytime was OK, lovely and sunny. It was springtime, but [it] was lovely and sunny. I thought I could bear it with a sleeping bag. Wow, it was so cold, so cold. But he never, ever leaves the water, just now and then only to check up on his family. I don’t know how he bears it. But he always comes to my tent. Even all night, when he’s hungry, he comes. I am sure he’s hungry all night.
Or maybe the bread is too convenient and tasty, I don’t know. Every time he comes, all night. And then I would feel that he came. I know it, even [though] he doesn’t say anything. The mute swan(-person) doesn't say anything. But I know he comes, and I wake up and give him some food. Later, I was too tired. I said, “I put it here, the whole bunch of it. You eat them a little bit at a time. Don’t finish all in one go, you’ll have a stomachache, OK?” He understood. He would come and just take one or two pieces at a time. They’re beautiful. I can talk about animal(-people) forever.
From the world of animal-people, “we wish humans could see us for who we truly are. We feel love and pain. We dream, we fear, and we hope, just like you.” So please… love us, protect us, and choose a compassionate way of living that harms no one. When you embrace a vegan life, you’re choosing kindness for every creature, from the smallest whiskered mouse to the tallest and proudest being who walks this Earth.
