Learning Challenge: "Empathy in a Story"
Empathy through a lesson in kindness... I watched the Epified videos on Krishna for my Week 10 readings, and I think the story of Krishna and the bull, Hastin, is a good example of empathy and its importance. Hastin was known as the village's fiercest and most aggressive bull, and everyone refused to go near him. However, Krishna tells everyone that he will ride Hastin by the next full moon and over the course of a month, he slowly gains the bull's trust through small acts of kindness like playing music for him and feeding him sweet treats. In the end, Krishna is able to ride Hastin through the village and he becomes peaceful. Moral of the story: kindness and compassion are some of the best 'weapons'. I think this story also demonstrates empathy because through Krishna's understanding of the bull's situation, and the fact that it wasn't that his ferocity needed 'taming' but he just needed a kind hand like anyone else, he was able to soften the bull...