INNOCENCE OF INFANCY

Tony was a simpleton. He was not very intelligent and could be deceived easily. His neighbour Johny was a crook. Tony used to consult Johny in all matters. Once he asked Johny to suggest a way to gain more intelligence. Johny used this opportunity to fool Tony. He advised Tony to eat the heads (with the brains) of four sardines (the common fish in Kerala, called mathi or chaala) every day to improve his intelligence. He agreed to pay Johny for the heads. The treatment continued for four months. Everyday Johny used to get money from Tony to buy four sardines, supply the heads to Tony and eat the rest himself. Then, one day Tony told Johny, "You were deceiving me. For the price of four sardines you were giving me only the heads and you were eating the better portions free." Johny consoled Tony, "See, my friend, your intellect has improved a lot. My medicine has worked wonderfully. You don't need the treatment from tomorrow."

There are several intellectually impaired persons in our society. They are like innocent infants. They need our assistance, affection, care, concern, encouragement, help and support. It is a crime to neglect them or tease them.

"Whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell" {Matthew 5:22}. "See that you don't despise any of these little ones. Their angels in heaven, I tell you, are always in the presence of my Father in heaven" {Matthew 18:10}.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
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