Bunny Young asks an 8-year-old what compassion means. The child defines it as helping and being kind, gives examples like sharing an apple when someone has a rotten banana, and lists concrete acts: sharing, helping carry things, holding doors, cuddling. Compassion spreads and matters most when people are stressed.
Chapters
Down. All right. Hubba bubba. So what does compassion mean?
Compassion? Compassion means that. Imagine this, if you will. So, Mommy, pretend that it's lunchtime, okay?
Okay.
I have an apple, a sandwich, and a banana. You pull out a rotten banana.
Okay.
How would you feel?
Probably pretty hungry. Yeah, I would probably. I'd be. I'd be pretty hungry. I'd probably. I don't know.
And then I. I feel pretty bad, too, because whatever my mommy feeling, I feel. So guess what I do.
What do you.
I decide to give her my apple. And then it spreads all over the world.
That's what compassion means.
Yes.
So if I'm compassionate to you, then you'll go be compassionate to other people?
Well, technically, once when a person starts it, then does it to another person, then the person does it to another person, then another person, another, another, another, another. It goes kind of like a line.
It just keeps going. Like a line.
Yeah.
So what are some ways that you can be compassionate? What are some ways that the starfish can be compassionate?
Well, one way is to keep throwing starfish. That's one.
Okay.
Like my mommy does.
Yes. Well, that. I think that's. That's why I got.
That's. That's why I have. That's why I bought her this ribbon for being the best starfish thrower ever.
Aw, thank you.
And for being the best mom.
Aww. Thank you, buds. What are some other ways?
That was my rabbit. Some other ways is to, like, help her out. And some other ways is to, like, cuddle with her and give her some love.
Oh, yeah.
That's what I do.
Because, you know, Mommy loves cuddling.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Yes. Yes.
Okay, so what about for the people that are watching? What are some ways that they can be compassionate?
One way that you can be compassionate.
And you can look up here, too. What are some of the ways that you can be compassionate?
Well, you can be compassionate when. When you, like, help other people.
Okay, like how? Like holding the door for them or being kind or having patience.
If they have. If they have a lot of stuff, you can help them carry it.
Okay. Yeah. So what's the definition of being compassionate? Like, what's the definition?
The definition is helping and being kind.
Okay. And why is that kindness. And why is that so important? Blue wanted to be a part of it, too. Why is it so important right now to be compassionate?
To help other people, Mama, you know that.
Yeah, but right now, why is it so super important? Is. Is everybody a little stressed out?
Why am I talking in the radio, not you?
Well, because you are the expert on compassion, right?
Your computer. You talk.
Okay. So I think. I think that it's really important to be compassionate right now because I think that there's a lot of people who are going through a lot of stress and a lot of difficult times. And I think being compassionate is one of the ways that we can wrap them up in a big old starfish hug and say, you know what? We're going to get through this together. That's why I think that being compassionate is really important right now. What do you think?
I think that. I think that being compassionate is a super duper important thing. So that people don't feel bad when I see them.
Do you feel bad right now? No. How do you feel?
Not with my mommy round.
All right, so any last words on throwing starfish?
Okay. If you feel bad, try talking to another person. Last night I felt bad, and I talked to my dad and my mom.
And did it make you feel better?
It did.
And did Mommy and Daddy show you compassion?
You guys did awesome.
All right. Can I have a great big hug? Then we'll say goodbye to all those starfish throwers.
Goodbye.
And we'll see you next week.
This is my rabbit. Say thank you. Adios, amigos. Thanks for making the world a better place. Thanks for keep throwing fibers. And thanks for making the world a better place. Bye.
