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Watching the "Test"

          So the other day these people came to carry out some "medical" tests. Small tests to ensure that everyone's safe. It involved a small prick and a small sample of blood taken. Not the end of the world considering that it did not require anything major or even a small incision. Just a quick prick and it was done. But for some that prick meant their "whole world" had come down. 
          Some put up a brave face with a thumping heart, others went through it with grace as if it were a daily affair. The "interesting lot" however neither had the brave faces to put up, much less the grace. They were the ones that got the all attention from the others.
           This lot came and sat down, looked about nervously, a little unsure of the ordeal they would have to go through. Imagination at its best they dreaded that small prick that would be delivered. As they watched the preparation, they probably mustered all they courage they could summon and unwillingly surrendered their hands. Much to the delight of the others, they tried to put up a brave face but failed miserably, they let out a cry and all that echoed was laughter. 
            I too watched the drama unfolding and I have to admit it was "fun" seeing the way they responded especially from those whom you "expected" to be "strong." I watched them both, the miserable courage on the face of the one being pricked and the expectant delight, the anticipation on the face of the others. I watched the first go through the ordeal with all their fears, cries, resignation and probably the "shame" of themselves until the next time. 
            For all the heights of goodness that we are capable of reaching there is something basic in me and you that delights (in a sadistic way) in the sorry plight of others, the weaker ones. Maybe that is why it is sometimes necessary to wilfully teach ourselves to encourage, to give courage. Taking a cue from what I saw and what I was part of, I had to admit the natural response most of the time is to taunt, to unsettle others, to incite fear. And that's where the "fun" is. But it is about time we start voicing out words of strength, of courage, of determination. The test is not for the weak but for the strong. Will the strong lend their strength to the weak? Now if that happens, then this will be altogether a little more different world hopefully. 



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