Let's Teach Kindness

Not what we say,

but what we do

is window into our psyche.

Kids play guns

and war games,

innocently, perhaps,

but it is better to avoid,

I believe.

I talk about health,

and kindness often.

My child has internalized,

those ideas,

and they reflect,

in her plays.

That day,

I saw her playing

with a toy parrot,

a bandage on the tail.

I had told her a real story,

how once a neighbor’s cat

injured a mourning dove.

I brought the dove home

tried to save,

though I failed.

Now I see her

trying to heal

the pretend injured bird,

and I smiled.

Kindness to critters

can be taught early on

through examples

and quiet encouragement.