She had lived in that house fourteen years, and every year…
“She had lived in that house fourteen years, and every year she had demanded of John that she be given a pet of some strange exotic breed. Not that she did not have enough animals. She had collected several wild and broken animals that, in a way, had become exotic by their breaking. Their roof would have collapsed from the number of birds who might have lived there if the desert hadn't killed three- quarters of those that tried to cross it. Still every animal that came within a certain radius of that house was given a welcome-the tame, the half born, the wild, the wounded.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Compassion extends to all beings, even those broken or unconventional; generosity is measured by openness, not by rarity.
In simple terms: Welcoming all creatures, even broken ones.
Key Takeaway
Practice unconditional hospitality.
Themes
compassion
hospitality
animals
exotic
broken
Mood
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
ethical
humanistic
When to use this quote
- home
- community
- animal rescue
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
ethics
caregiving
inclusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What boundaries do you set when caring for others?
- How do you balance compassion with self‑preservation?
A Different Perspective
Overextending care can lead to burnout or neglect of self.