Then the two animals, crouching to the earth, bowed their…
““Then the two animals, crouching to the earth, bowed their heads and did worship. Sudden and magnificent, the sun's broad golden disc showed itself over the horizon facing them; and the first rays, shooting across the level water-meadows, took the animals full in the eyes and dazzled them. When they were able to look once more, the Vision had vanished, and the air was full of the carol of birds that hailed the dawn. As they stared blankly, in dumb misery deepening as they slowly realized all they had seen and all they had lost, a capricious little breeze, dancing up from the surface of the water, tossed the aspens, shook the dewy roses, and blew lightly and caressingly in their faces, and with its soft touch came instant oblivion. For this is the last best gift that the kindly demigod is careful to bestow on those to whom he has revealed himself in their helping: the gift of forgetfulness. Lest the awful remembrance should remain and grow, and overshadow mirth and pleasure, and the great haunting memory should spoil all the after-lives of little animals helped out of difficulties, in order that they should be happy and light-hearted as before.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage describes a moment of awe at sunrise, then a gentle forgetting bestowed by a divine force to spare creatures from lingering sorrow.
In simple terms: Sunrise awe followed by a gift of forgetfulness to ease pain.
Key Takeaway
Embrace moments of wonder, but allow yourself to let go of lingering grief.
Themes
nature
transcendence
memory
healing
Mood
reflective
serene
hopeful
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- morning meditation
- grief counseling
- creative writing
- nature walks
Key Concepts
ephemerality
divine compassion
psychological relief
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance remembering with the need to move forward?
- What rituals help us release painful memories?
A Different Perspective
The notion of forgetting may hinder processing trauma fully.