Born free and being free

There is a riveting story that I was reading out to my primary school students. The story concerned the concept and importance of being free. There was once a wolf and a dog.

The wolf was wild and hence had to fend for himself. Many a time he was dirty, hungry and famished.

One day, he came across a well-fed dog whose coat gleamed in the sunlight. He asked the dog the secret of his well-fed and well-looked after appearance. The dog replied that his master gave him the choicest of dog food and the master’s servant personally gave him a bath everyday. The dog averred that the master did all this in return for the dog guarding his house.

The dog then told the wolf whether he would like to partake of a meal at his master’s house? The wolf excitedly agreed and his mouth started watering at the thought of the scrumptious food he would soon eat. Suddenly the wolf spotted a chain or collar around the dog’s neck. When the wolf what it was, the dog replied that it was an insignia or symbol that he belonged to his master.

The wolf then asked the dog that if his master gave him a meal, would the master expect him (the wolf) to be collared as well? When the dog replied in the affirmative, the wolf said, that in that case, he did not want a meal from the dog’s master for that would curtail his cherished and very necessary freedom.

This story shows that even animals, not unlike human beings, don’t mind missing out on surplus comforts, facing hardships and even struggling to survive, but they cannot do without their freedom and sovereignty. Freedom is indeed one of the most sought-after goals of a person.

Every individual wants his individual freedom and space which is one reason why democratic countries’ governments are so popular compared to that of Communist countries where one’s freedom is heavily curtailed. It is fact that those countries which give their citizens freedom of speech and expression are more progressive and advanced than those that deny it.

Likewise, women do not want to be given platitudes of talk but they want to be considered free, equal and emancipated partners where they are given the freedom to thought, word and action within the jurisdiction of marriage. Prisoners in jail, tigers insanctuaries and birds in cages all value their freedom and do not like their claustrophobic enclaves.

The following quote by Mark Twain encapsulates the importance and significance of being free by taking calculated risks, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.” This profound and outspoken message captures, epitomizes and encapsulates the significance and value of being absolutely free.