Evening star., 1948-11-20
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Tr1ce1Del
"CHURCHTON, Md.

Dear Sir:
mo doubt you have already read Everyday
Miracle by Gustav Eckstein, but in case you
might have missed 1t, thought I'd call it to
your attention.
I'm in the middle Of reading it now. and it
so constantly reminds me Of your column that
I simply have to write you about 1t.
"Mr. Eckstein has the same sympathetic in
terest in the spall creatures that you express
daily.
II love his chapterson MICE particularly, as
it shows that they are not necessarily the
destructive pests that most people consider
them, but are simply wee animals that suffer
hunger and thirst, and must constantly forage
to keep alive.
Sincerely. DE"
Our correspondent puts finger squarely on
the one thing that unites the small animals to
the instant sympathies Of the average man.
Hunger does 1t.
It is because we all need food, and must have
it all our lives, that we cannot think harshly
of little things trying to supply their needs,
even as you and I.
and do write sympathetically of creatures that
sometimes, to few persons, seem to be theme
for childrens stories only.
But when "he" men Of the caliber of our DR..
Mann, head of the National Geological Park
write, as they do, Of the small creatures, their
sympathies extending even to insects and
snakes, we may all see that writing about
animals is legitimate.
Small animals and birds, particularly, have
a place in every human life, whether each
person realizes it or not.
We are indebted to all persons, Of all nations,
who remind us of our close relationship to cats,
6ogs, mice, raccoons, and so on.
The list of writer's is long, and includes some
of the greatest writing names.
It Is inspiring to belong, even in little, to
such group.
The modern urge to feed things, whether
strictly animal or human, has grown with
necessity.
It is seen today as never before that the great
bond of all living creatures Is just something
to eat.
In relation to the dumb animals as they are
sometimes called, food is the only bond that
both humans and animals can understand in
equal degree.
often householder, feeding pet dog or cat
suddenly realizes that this is true; thereafter
he never is able to pass any hungry creature
again without thought to its condition
A word of warning must be issued, however,
about the thin condition Of some animals.
This state of affairs may occur through
disease, and in household where the animal
is the beloved pet of many kind persons.
1t will not do, just because one happens to
see very thin dog or cat to think that it has
no home.
Some dogs and cats fairly run themselves
ragged" by outdoor exercise, just as some
humans do.
Their lack Of thriftiness cannot be attributed
to lack Of food, and hasty actions taken on that
assumption are often gravely in error.
\
It is difficult for most persons to work up
enthusiasm about mice.
Yet they are as hungry as any creatures IN
the cold They are very highly organized, with
high temperatures and great need for food. If
they sample our cheese, 1t is because they need
it. not simply through innate cussedness
Mice, viewed with sympathy. are fine exam
pies of the great rodent family, the largest Of
all mammal groups.
While rats and mice offer possibilities of
harm to human beings that canot be over
looked there is not much danger that the
average house mouse is going to hurt any one
except in those sensibilities that are aroused
in the human being because Of any creeping
movement.
This type of movement, caught out of the
corner Of the eye" takes us clear back to the
cave days of human life when fears occupied
and properly, such a large part in the daily life
Today perhaps, no one ought to become
frightened over a poor little mouse, which is
much more frightened by the huge creature
that goes on two legs.
That most Of us do, indeed, become very
startled at sight Of a mouse, proves that we
are not very civilized, after all.