Opa Johan’s Disturbed Sleep

Opa Johan’s Disturbed Sleep

“There was a soft tapping on the door. Our daughter came in and spread her mattress on the floor to sleep with us as she couldn’t sleep in her room. Then she returned to her room.. Madam took a look, what’s the matter and she stayed a very long while and getting vexed I then on purpose shut the door, so she can’t come in.” So said opa Johan to me.

“Could I realize at that time that it was the owner of the dog that wasn’t responsible who caused the trouble, keeping people awake by having the dog whining as he wants to get out of his cage, I wouldn’t have quarreled so furiously with her. My daughter wouldn’t have hurt feelings towards me.”

Imagine what it has brought them. His daughter couldn’t sleep, she disturbed her parent’s sleep, went to the night watch man on duty to wake up the servant who was in charge to take care of the dog, on her way she got a bite from a stray dog, got a sore inflammation, while he quarreled with his wife, instead of quarreling with the dog owner, lack of sleep of four people and other inconveniences.

So, I mused, many conflicts, quarrels, inconveniences could be prevented. They are caused by something outside us. Were we more responsible, careful in our work, doings, decisions, all that, those conflicts, quarrels wouldn’t have happened. and when it does happen, it could be overcome without being angry, with one another if only we realize, know who, what is at fault. In this case it’s the owner of the dog, leaving the dog to the care of a servant who isn’t responsible.

And we should have the courage to say so, to say “no”. And I think of war. Life would then be brighter, happier.

May 2008

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