Note in connection with the chapters The School for Sympathy & The Merchant of Venice - Standard 8


The Need for showing mercy

We live in a world where everyone runs out of mercy. However, in order to enjoy a peaceful and happy life one must be merciful. There are many people who require our merciful hands laid out to help them. There  are people who suffer because of hunger, war, persecution, personal tragedies, disabilities and so on. They continuously ask us to show them mercy. As young children, we might not be able to help them in a great deal. However our affectionate look and smile can relieve them of their suffering.



          In a world where everyone is merciless like the Shylock from the play ‘The Merchant of Venice, we must be like Antonio who readily comes to help his dear friend Bassanio. Happiness is the result of showing mercy to others. Scandinavian countries are on the top list of happiness index. One of the reasons for this is that for decades, empathy (Understanding and entering into another's feelings) classes were part of their curriculum. In our country also we must start empathy classes.




God wants us to be agents of mercy. World remembers great people who dedicated their life for the cause of poor people. Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey et al are ought to be great examples for us. We must try to imitate them. Famous writer Mark Twain once said: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”. It is the language even a little baby understands. So, we must be kind to others as much as possible and let’s rise by lifting others.

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