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TARA CHAND PANDIA
To the Little Animals
What right have I to kill or injure you,
O Insects, Worms and Myriad other Lives For my convenience, lust or blinding view
That me to negligence imprudent drives? Oh, like myself have you not life and breath?
Have you too not desires, and love and hate? Do you not pain and pleasure feel, fear death, And wish to live in peace at any rate? If you were born to serve our selfishness,
You life and love of life would not have got, Have I a right to kill and to oppress
Because more strength and power have been my lot? If I am wiser and more powerful,
My duty is to pity you indeed
Should he who's stronger than me break my skull ? Do I not higher Heaven's mercy need? When on our sins I look, I'm not surprised
Why we to ill-luck and to death succumb No slightest sin can e'er go unchastised
By nature just of power immense though dumb, Killing the weak defenceless is not brave,
Should you not live e'en your short life in peace? E'en now you many foes and troubles have,
Should I not cease your troubles to increase? Who knows what harm your slaughter to us brings? Who knows what benefits from you accrue ? And e'en the ill which sometimes from you springs Who's sure that it is ill or caused by you? With proper care now I shall try my best
To cease from harming you, brethren fair, And in my harmless thoughts I finding rest Shall worship well my harmless nature e'er.
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