You don´t say. That´s really interesting Mr Midnight.
I know. I thought the same. I only found out because of the chin-wag I had last night with Mr Dog. He told me that humans call it a “tradition” and I must admit, I do like sitting on the prickly bale of hay infront of Mr Dogs house, taking-in the odours of the edibles.
By the way Sir Winston, Mr Dog didn´t exactly explain what this “tradition” thing is.
This particular human tradition is called “thanks-giving” or “harvest festival” and humans will often symbolically decorate their houses with autumn vegetables as a way of saying thank you for the grub received. I believe it is also called “Lammas”; meaning “loaf-Mass”. I might be wrong though. 🙂
However, thanks-giving does not only have symbolic character – humans are also supposed to be “thankful” for their “lot in life” and are expected to donate food to charitable causes. It´s the human way of saying “thank-you”.
Donate food once a year? That´s a bit mean isn´t it. Are modern humans only thankful once a year?
No, of course not. It´s just a way for them to show gratitude.
And what is “tradition”?
We cats obviously do not need such festivities – probably because we live in the moment and are instinctively thankful for everyday.
Tradition is a human thing Mr Midnight. It´s a passing of beliefs and customs from one generation to the next. Traditions are a regular occurence in the life of a human-being.
Daddy feeds us on a regular basis – night and day. Is this also a tradition? I strongly believe in him doing it. It makes me feel happy. 🙂
I don´t think that you can call regular feeding habits a tradition Mr Midnight. Eating on a daily basis is more of a necessary routine than anything else.
Traditions are more like a rock with which to find stability – something familiar which aids give security in an otherwise, uncertain world. Animals don´t need customs and traditions because when left to our own devices, we live in harmony with the universe.
Tradition helps ward off fears, and as most of the animal kingdom are aware, the human race lives in a constant state of fear. It´s probably one of the reasons why traditions are so important for humans.
Wow. Poor humans. They must be terrified. What stressful lives they lead.
The other day I watched 5 people climb into one of those small, smelly moving things. A motor-car is the term I think. They all sat neatly, miserably squashed up together, and looked rather uncomfortable. Observed from the freedom and comfort of my place under the hedge, I thought to myself; it´s a shame how they coop up those humans.
Modern humans evidently need to experience stressy lifestyles.
It certainly looks that way. Humans are very perculiar and most of the time they appear slightly barmy, but it is the path most of them choose to experience.
Modern humans also believe that they are open-minded. I´ve often heard this muttered among humans but I find it difficult to believe myself.
I think the majority of modern human beings really do believe that they are open-minded. It´s just a shame that reality dictates a different picture.
Well, the animal kingdom is aware that humans are masters at avoiding reality. 😉
As a rule, humans will conveniently, disbelieve things that do not fit into the framework of what they have been lead to believe as to being the truth. Contradicting beliefs are often dismissed as humbug. Human open-mindedness doesn´t seem to stretch as far as for wanting to go with the flow of life and of accepting “change”.
That´s quite convenient isn´t it.
By the way; although very hard to swallow and bad for my teeth – I`m actually quite partial to humbugs. 🙂
You shouldn´t eat daddy´s sweeties. If he catches you, you´ll cop it.!
He´ll have to catch me first! 🙂
Let´s get back to the topic of conversation, I´m still a little puzzled as to why humans make such a fuss about traditions. Sending a can of maize to a church festival as a gesture of gratitude once a year, will not really change the world will it – apart from making one remember to be thankful that week.
I´m totally baffled. Believing to be open-minded and at the same time, stuck in the times of the past.
What other traditions or major beliefs do modern humans adhere to Sir Winston?
They believe in their Gods and prophets, for example, Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter.
Modern society is also obsessed with its belief that the planet can ONLY be ruled by money. Humans are of the opinion that the stuff is the sole solution to solving OUR planets problems. As you and I are aware Mr Midnight, the soul solution shines from within. 🙂
Many human beings are incapable of stepping out of their conveniency and are thus, totally switched-off from their environment.
To top it all – the majority are also of the strong belief that as you get older, you automatically become ill.
But Mr Dog informed me that Easter most probably had Pagan roots and was a celebration of the spring equinox – you know, the fertility festival. hence the eggs and everything. He should know, he´s very knowledgeable about such things.
As for me – I´ve no idea.
Mr Dog also told me that a guy named Jesus was killed by occupying forces and then the next minute, he had managed to get out of bed a couple of days later. I think Mr Dog´s telling tall stories because I thought that Christian humans didn´t believe in “life-after-death”. Humans certainly have puzzling traditions – at least for cats to get to grips with.
That´s exactly the point Mr Midnight; as I´ve mentioned so many times before – nobody really knows what happens. Many modern human beliefs are fabricated from what others had thought to have been the truth.
The christmas festival is celebrated because of the birth of Jesus, bless him. He was obviously so popular with the crowds that those in power feared for their positions and had to have him removed – hence the Easter celebration.
Not much difference to present day antics then. If someone has some positive influence upon society, he , or she, is often “removed” from their position.
So humans do not believe in the powers of the universe and the importance of living in harmony?
Usually, they dismiss thoughts of “other life sources and possibilities” and believe that money can solve our planets problems. They would much sooner support pharmaceutical companies in their search for freedom of pain and illness and most are of the belief that THEIR religion is the only true religion.
So much for being open-minded.
Actually, it is all rather pathetic.
You see, if understood properly and not taken too seriously, traditions and customs can be very helpful and benefit a society. However, at the same time, they can also narrow perceptiveness towards other input. One remains stuck in the tracks of ones “programming”.
If one was truly open-minded, one would need to constantly put an awful lot of time and effort into things – and that is something that most humans are evidently, not wanting to do.
Well I´ve heard enough for today thank-you very much.
I think I´m going to go downstairs to eat a food stick. This “tradition” stuff seems to have given me an appetite. I think I´ll take care of MY tradition and head-off into the cellar to see what I can find. Daddy usually arrrives home when the sun is at its highest.
See you around Sir Winston.
Boys you have every right to be confused 🙂 indeed tradition and being open-minded are contradictory…humans live very schizophrenic lifestyles indeed..we have so many personalities at play in our daily lives..we need to really observe the animal world more..they live in the moment for the moment..they follow their instincts and if left without us interfering and trying to change them from their natural behaviours..live life fully and honestly..why do I hear ‘Tradition’ from Fiddler n the roof in my head now ??? 🙂 have a great day fellas Fozziemum
Ah, that´s very nice to read a comment from a nice concerned person (or doggy?). The “lads” and myself were chuffed to have received such an admirable comment. Mr Midnight also says that he knows what you mean – voices inside his head (but fiddler on the roof?). He hasn´t seen the film (or read the book) 🙂 so he can´t comment on that.
Best regards from the three of us.
You are all most welcome 🙂 I myself have only the one song from snippets that I can recall 🙂
I do love to see a ginger and a black cat in conversation 🙂 we have that here too…thank goodness for the wisdom of the feline and canine population…keeps us grounded ! Cheers from us all down under 🙂
I read Sir Winston and Mr Midnight in British accents. It sounds way funnier and classy. Your blog is hilarious
Thank you for the kind words. We very much appreciate it and hope that we can entertain you for a while, although underneath some of the humour their lies the occassional, serious message. Still, one does not have to take our stuff seriously. The lads just love me posting their adventures in the internet. Best regards from the three of us. 🙂