zlateh the goat and the “maaaaaaaaaaa” that means many things

Life speaks in many ways through countless channels. On the night I first heard this end-of-Hanukkah story read by CBC As It Happens’ “Fireside Al,” I was moved to tears. I was struck by the parallels between the story of a furrier’s goat and the way we treat old people, at least in the first instance. I couldn’t help but be touched when they young hero understands that Zlateh’s bleat carries meaning beyond that which he might have dreamed. I reflected on how we are often at a loss when those we love who live with dementia try to express their thoughts and feelings and are unable to do so in ways we can easily decipher.

I hope you are as moved by the story as I was and still am:

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Take my short survey on behaviour here.