Category: Fourre-tout

A little bit of everything

For Lea

Some people requested that I translate the previous story, so here you are:

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Short story for young children.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Coquelicot (Poppy).
She was given that name because she always smiled like a flower caressed by the sun, and also because she had brightly colored red hair.
She was six years old and she was always hanging out with a dog going by the name of Loustic (Joker).
Loustic was only two but he was much stronger and he could run much faster than Coquelicot.

Loustic and Coquelicot were friends because Coquelicot always understood what Loustic said.
Grownups don’t understand the language of animals, but some children can and Coquelicot was one of these special children.
Loustic also understood everything that Coquelicot said, but sometimes when he didn’t want to, he pretended that he did not understand.

Since she lived close to a forest, one day Coquelicot decided to go mushroom picking.
She left her house, escorted by Loustic who went scouting ahead.

A little later, while busily picking mushrooms, Coquelicot forgot about Loustic who disappeared checking some mysterious scents.
Suddenly she heard a noise behind her, in the bushes.
She turned around and saw something looking like a big pig with very stiff hair.
The beast looked at her and grunted.

Coquelicot got scared and screamed “Loustic, help, help!”
Loustic came running and asked “arf, arf?” which everybody knows means “what, what?”
There is a big beast that really scared me Loustic…
A big beast? Arf, arf? (which can also mean: Where? Where?)
Behind me, in the bushes…
Don’t move Coquelicot, I’ll take care of him.
And he disappeared running and barking very loudly.

He came back a little later and declared: the enemy has been routed!
Coquelicot kissed him and gave him a mushroom as a reward.
Loustic did not really like mushrooms, but he pretended that he did.
A few minutes later though, he discreetly spit out everything he had in his mouth.

Coquelicot kissed him again and Loustic kissed her back with his big red tongue.
Thank you Loustic, said Coquelicot, you saved my life.
Of course Coquelicot. You are my best friend!

The end.

Alain

Fouteurs de merde

I might be repeating myself, but in view of recent events, it is worth repeating.

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From time immemorial there have always been bullies.

They are low self-esteem individuals who use verbal or physical abuse to compensate for their own insecurity.

Bullying often starts innocently by teasing. But the thin line between teasing and bullying is quickly crossed, especially when the target of harassment neglects to fight back.

Bullies are “agents provocateurs” who should be confronted early on.
Reluctance to indict only further encourages their aggressive behavior.
Most people (or nations) are often hesitant to confront troublemakers, but a timely stand to aggression is the only way to prevent further aggravation.

If in 1936 the French would have had the nerves to oppose the German remilitarization of the Rhineland, it could have stopped Hitler cold in his tracks and maybe even prevented World War II.

Similarly, the Russian provocation in Ukraine should be immediately met by a show of strength. And so should the rampage of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Appeasement, or procrastination is often seen as a sign of weakness.

Through a politic of appeasement “Peace in our time” Neville Chamberlain’s  gave England precious little time to prepare for the Nazi onslaught.

“We, the German Führer and Chancellor, and the British Prime Minister, have had a further meeting today and are agreed in recognizing that the question of Anglo-German relations is of the first importance for two countries and for Europe.
We regard the agreement signed last night and the Anglo-German Naval Agreement as symbolic of the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again.”

Less than a year later, Germany invaded Poland triggering World War Two.

In our own backyard blatant provocation should not be ignored. It should be dealt with promptly and forcefully.
The best way to deal with troublemakers is to shun them, to avoid and ignore them.
Snubbing a bully is the most effective way of punishing an attention-getting dunce.

Sometimes, pressured by  peers, the bully will offer apologies.
But one should be wary of hollow expressions of regret. They are often a convenient way to avoid retribution.

Apparent contrition can mollify some people, but it is wise to remember that a leopard can hardly change its spots.
Once a bully, always a bully.

Personally, I think that what a “fouteur de merde” (shit stirrer) needs most desperately is psychiatric help.

Alain

 

Narcissism

In a recent article published in Time magazine, Jeffrey Kluger wrote:

“Small children, by their very nature, are moral monsters. They are greedy, demanding, violent, selfish, impulsive and utterly remorseless. They fight constantly with playmates and siblings but scream in pain and indignation if they are attacked in return. They expect to be adored but not disciplined, rewarded but never penalized, cared for and served by parents and family without caring or serving reciprocally.”

narcissus_300pxIt sounds frighteningly like portraits of Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, prime examples of monstrous narcissism and entitlement.

Toddlers are indeed selfish and demanding, but most of them outgrow this phase. Some (particularly in affluent families) never do.
They feel forever entitled without ever thinking of reciprocating a good turn.

Life is a trade, an ever-bartering flee-market. A world of “tit for tat”.
Good manners dictate that you acknowledge a favor and reciprocate it in a decent time interval. Even within a couple, favors should be acknowledged and responded in kind.
Failure to do so will generate unease, resentment and ultimately hostility.

Pampering children is no guaranty that they will later show appreciation for your devotion. On the contrary.
The more you indulge the little tykes and the more entitled they will feel.

Ungrateful children are not a new trend.
This state of affairs was already apparent to Honoré de Balzac, who in 1835 penned a novel titled Le Père Goriot (Old man Goriot).

In this story, Goriot sacrifices everything to endear himself to his two daughters (Delphine and Anastasie) who ultimately dispossess and forsake him.

“Before dying, Goriot rages about their disrespect toward him. His funeral is attended only by Rastignac, a servant named Christophe, and two paid mourners. Goriot’s daughters, rather than being present at the funeral, send their empty coaches, each bearing their families’ respective coat of arms.”

Selfishness or narcissism are not congenital conditions. Family and environment mold these characteristics.

Ultimately, if you yearn for a decent relationship with those around you, mind Confucius:

己所不欲，勿施於人。
“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.”

Treat others just like you would like to be treated.

Alain