Копыбара: мирный гигант Южной Америки, ставший символом христианской доброты

Today’s column is the last in a series on how God exemplifies through nature the importance of helping one another. Last week, we learned about elephants: their caretaking abilities, socialization, and protection of their young. For today, dear friends, we are going to look at an extraordinary animal from South America. Known as the world’s largest rodent, it is named the capybara. When I first saw a photo of it, it reminded me of an overgrown guinea pig. I soon discovered it is a relative of the guinea pig. Being a rodent, it is also related to mice and rats, squirrels, beavers, hamster and porcupines. Rodents are defined as herbivores with two pairs of front teeth, two upper and two lower, and the thing about those teeth is that they never stop growing. So the rodents must eat and chew on food that will help keep their teeth trimmed. They accomplish this by eating grasses and tough water plants, along with bark, as well as melons, squash and certain grains. An interesting note is they also eat their own poop. Disgusting as that might sound to us, eating their excrement helps in digestion of tough plants, allowing them to receive the most nutrition from their diet. Capybaras are semi-aquatic creatures, which helps to keep them cool in the beastly hot summer temperatures. They can dive under water and stay down for five minutes until surfacing for air. It helps that their feet have a partial webbing — just right for swimming. And the fact that their ears, eyes and noses are located in the top area of their heads even allows them to fall asleep in the water. In coloration, they sport short brown fur in various shades. These gentle giants can grow up to two feet in height and four feet in length, weighing from 40 to 150 pounds. They have a language all their own, including barks, purrs, clicks and whistles. Elephants life in tight-knit communities where support is offered to those who need it. It’s easy to draw comparisons with how the Bible instructs us to live our lives. These facts show us the looks, basic characteristics and lifestyle of the capybara, but the reason I’ve chosen this beloved creature as an example of God’s teaching on helping one another is this: The capybara is known as the most laid-back animal on earth! In their herds, which can be as few as 10, or as large as 100, they all take care of one another. Like elephants, the capybara moms will nurse anyone’s young. They are known for their attribute of being socially sensitive and will help one another in distress. As if that were not enough, the capybara also is known as: “nature’s ottoman,” and “moving chairs.” They are the most calm and relaxed animal to be found, making them popular not only with other creatures, but with humans as well. In recent years, the attributes of the capybara have become known to people who want to have an encounter with them; to see their gentle nature in action, to feel peace in their presence. The capybaras are not only calm and peaceful within their herd, but they are the same way to all others, including birds, monkeys and rabbits. It is not unusual to see capybaras riding on the backs of larger ones. The same goes for other animals. Sometimes, a bird will ride along the back of one picking out insects as they clean the capybara’s fur — a bonus for the animal and a gentle ride for the bird. Monkeys will also groom the pleasantly comfortable animal, taking a gentle ride to boot. The capybaras are so accommodating that other animals seek their pleasantness for a safe bed. The capybara, the world’s largest rodent is an interesting creature, and is also a gentle giant. Now let’s see how these calm and peaceful beasts from South America measure up to scriptures from the New Testament. These two from Matthew speak to me of “nature’s ottoman.” Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The quiet gentleness of this animal reminds me of having the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” This next one, from Thessalonians, reminds me of the care of the capybara mothers for all the nursing young in their herd: 1 Thessalonians 2:7, “But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” All capy moms take care of all the children and nurse them. And lastly, God’s words also speak to us about people we may not know, people who come into our lives and may just need some friendship or a kind word: Titus 3:2, “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Hebrews 13:1-2, “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers ... ” Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” I can see the capybara as an example of God’s creation that speaks to us in volumes about love, caring, helping, staying calm and peaceful, as well as having great generosity. The Rev. Kathy Brumbaugh is the pastor of Schenevus Methodist Church in Schenevus, New York.