The Rat That Broke My Heart

Story by Laura Wellington

As a writer I believe heartless acts should be curbed in the act, called out when they happen in public and otherwise used to wake people up to the damage that cruelty does to those who see it happen.

Do I hear some of you saying, "Oh, Laura! It's only a rat, a rodent for goodness sakes. It's just an animal." Yes, and it is only a half step up where men begin to think a certain class of people are animals and exterminating them will improve the human race. I'm not saying that rat had a right to enter a dining environment, No, I am simply saying streaks of cruelty should not be cheered in public. It is an act that comes under the classification of wanton cruelty, similar to pulling the wings off of flies, butterflies, yes, and any bird that flies."

Cruelty is demeaning, and by that I mean that man should do better. "One man's rat, could be another man's child some day."

In closing I want to stress that an incident like this one deserves more than a "shake of the head" or an "eye roll," given that some indicate that this is acceptable behavior today by the mere act of watching. Don't you think so?