Judging…Books or Humans
(PLEASE READ RIGHT TO THE END OF THIS STORY – YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS A WORD!)
Many of us walk into a book store and as we peruse through the isles of books, we automatically reach for the books with eye-catching covers. Human Nature – what is appealing to the eye must have something worthy inside the pages that will appeal to our mind.
Well, one day, Princess (I shall name the cat in this picture that because she reminds me of my gray fur-ball) picked up a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird that just happened to be lying on the coffee table. She dragged it down to one of the spare rooms where there are beds reserved for guests, and she curled up on a bed and began to read – really – no kidding – picture is proof of this, no?
As I went about my daily business, every once in a while I would peek in the room where Princess was flipping through the pages of the book. There was a serious furrow to her brow, and I thought I also detected a scowl or two. But, I left her alone. She was absorbed in a quiet affair and not getting into mischief.
Later, in the evening, I walked past the room and there was Princess curled up and sound asleep, the book was in tatters, and there was a note scribbled on one of the pages. It read: There is nothing in here on how to kill a mockingbird! I give this book zero stars for misleading information in the title!
Bottom line – we cannot always judge a book by its cover.
Now, I shall be serious for a moment – what about judging a person by their cover?
We all know the kitty story is a bit far-fetched, but what about this story…
A beggar walked into a church one Sunday morning. His clothes were tattered, his hair unkempt, his beard was long and scraggly. He smelled as though he had not showered in a month. The good members of the congregation were appalled, and they gave him a wide berth, some even trying to shoo the man to the door. He did not budge, though, from the spot he found in the back pew. When the service started, a deacon stood behind the pulpit: he had an important announcement to make – a new pastor was taking over today. When the deacon announced the name of the new pastor, everyone held their breath, curious to see what he looked like. Time ticked off the seconds. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the beggar stood, and instead of leaving the church, he walked slowly up the isle. As he did, he reached out to the congregation, many of them shrinking away from his touch. When he arrived at the pulpit, the deacon shook his hand. The beggar smiled to the people, and then took off the tattered coat he was wearing, revealing a conservative gray suit. He looked around at the people. And then he said: “The sermon is over for this week…go in peace. I will see you all next Sunday.” As the new pastor left the church, the people reached out to him.
A beggar walked into a church one Sunday morning. His clothes were tattered, his hair unkempt, his beard was long and scraggly. He smelled as though he had not showered in a month. The good members of the congregation were appalled, and they gave him a wide berth, some even trying to shoo the man to the door. He did not budge, though, from the spot he found in the back pew. When the service started, a deacon stood behind the pulpit: he had an important announcement to make – a new pastor was taking over today. When the deacon announced the name of the new pastor, everyone held their breath, curious to see what he looked like. Time ticked off the seconds. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the beggar stood, and instead of leaving the church, he walked slowly up the isle. As he did, he reached out to the congregation, many of them shrinking away from his touch. When he arrived at the pulpit, the deacon shook his hand. The beggar smiled to the people, and then took off the tattered coat he was wearing, revealing a conservative gray suit. He looked around at the people. And then he said: “The sermon is over for this week…go in peace. I will see you all next Sunday.” As the new pastor left the church, the people reached out to him.How many times have we all judged someone by their cover? Just a thought from your Writer on the Run, who is still, occasionally, guilty of this – I am working on it!
