Two dogs were resting under a tree in the park. Butch, the collie said, “Look at that dog walking with his mater. He has no freedom like we do while he is on that leash.” The other dog, a shepherd named Sleepy replied, “Actually, he has no freedom even off the leash. When the leash is removed at his master’s home, the home belongs to his master and the yard where he lives is fenced and belongs to his master. The food and water comes from his master. The dog owns nothing of his own.”
Butch said, “The dog can choose to eat and drink and walk about unleashed in his yard. At least those choices are his.” Sleepy said, “Are they really his? If he does not eat or drink, his master who cares for him will see to it that the dog is still nourished and cared for.”
After a bit of musing, Butch said, “Aren’t we free? We have no leash, no master, no fenced yard. We can go where and when we wish, most of the time unless someone runs us away.”
“I don’t think so,” answered Sleepy. “This land changes with seasons. Rain and sun come and go, grass and dirt are here and there, and we have no say in any of that, even though we go where we please most of the time. No, we own nothing. Our lives are not even our own because we are bound to life only if we chose to eat and drink. Food and water becomes our masters.”
At that, Butch sat up and scratched one ear and asked, “How can anyone be happy with their lives if they own nothing, not even their own lives?” Sleepy said, “When this tree we are under dies, where does it go? Over time it turns into soil from which other plants are nourished and grow. So this tree owns nothing, not even itself because others use it when it is alive and after it is gone. I guess the only way to be happy is to accept that even though we own nothing, we are given life and things to use, so we should be thankful for it.” Sleepy rolled over into the sunshine, stretched, then added, “Being grateful for what we have makes me content. The dog we saw can be happy to have a person who loves him enough to care for him. This tree could possibly be grateful that it gives shade and shelter and thus has purpose, even after it dies. It seems to me that being happy might be because we are loved or we have purpose or because we can find things for which to be thankful.”
Discussion: What is the difference between being content and being happy? Would you be happy if you had everything you wanted? What if you were homeless or alone? Could you find something for which to be grateful?