“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 to April 9, 1945)
Should I stop there? This is powerful; however, I’m seeking something more comprehensive.
“A society may be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable [members, including animals].” – numerous variants, attributed to numerous prominent figures including Gandhi, Harry S Truman, Winston Churchill, Hupert H. Humphrey, et al.
When we consider the most vulnerable within a society, I believe we must include the young (especially the very young), the physically and mentally challenged, the ill, and the elderly.
I would argue that we must include animals.
Why would I include animals? Animals, both domesticated and wild, are heavily impacted by human activities.
Tonight, on my way home from the Bellingham Haiku Group’s meeting, I saw a fawn without its doe. The fawn may have been an orphan; it’s difficult to know. It was grazing in a field in an area which hasn’t been in-filled by development.
in a waxing moon lit field– /a fawn without its doe / trembles
Andrew Shattuck McBride, Writer's Blog 