As a video image popped upon my computer screen today of a
man yelling at another and egged on by supporters as the insulted man hung his
head at a loss, an image from childhood popped into my head: monkeys, three of
them.
When I was a little girl, I loved visiting my nana and granddaddy’s
home in Dumas, Arkansas. It had all kinds of nooks and crannies, rooms and
levels for exploring and fascinating furniture and décor. It was so very
different from my own home, I didn’t want to miss anything so I spent hours
taking it all in. I walked in circles around the place, got on my hands and
knees to look under things and climbed into boxes and furniture to get a better
view. During one such roll about on the green shag carpet in my nana and
granddaddy’s television room, I noticed a curious statue in between the levels
of the heavy wooden octagon coffee table. It was a greenish brass color and depicted
three monkeys in a row. One monkey had its hands over its ears, the next monkey
had its hands over its eyes and the next monkey had its hands over its mouth.
Not daring to move the monkeys or to disturb my
grandparents’ show, I stared at it intently. Days ticked by during my trip to
Dumas, and I kept returning to this interesting little statue. One afternoon,
while my granddaddy read the newspaper, I finally asked him about the little
monkeys. He lowered his paper, cocked his head to the side and adjusted his
glasses to get a better look and said, “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No
Evil.” The sun was streaming through the windows that lined each wall of the
room. The light next to my granddaddy lit both the paper and him up. My heart
beat a little faster. He went back to reading.
As much as Advent is considered an anticipatory season of
hope, it is also a time of penitence and reflection. As of late, I’ve found
myself wishing my heart and mind were a little more centered. I’ve found myself
a little uncomfortable with my own thoughts and wondering how or why I’ve said
and done or not done certain things. I’ve been pondering all of this in my
heart and considered what I can do to make a change.
I find myself wanting to remember the words of my
grandfather and the wisdom of those three little monkeys. I don’t want to give
power to evil by hearing, seeing or speaking it. I know I can do better and
will feel better for it.
Hear No Evil
See No Evil
Speak No Evil
With love and light,
LT
