Because Beasts Will Be Beasts

So, there are humans and there are beasts: the beasts with an irresistible urge to attack, conquer, kill… all the time; accustomed to a ferocious environment- even those who had begun with subtler killer instincts. They’re all charged up and waiting to pounce on the first edible human they can find, just like how caged animals have an enormously high level of potential energy, all their ferocity bottled up. In fact, these beasts are more fatal- they’re out in the open- no bars, no cages, but eyes constantly scanning fields. Piercing retina films, roars brimming with hunger. The humans are there too, non-aggressive, passive; but free- the former aspect submissiveness acceptable, but the freedom not.

Yes, this scene is hypothetical and extreme, more latter than the former, but in no way bizarre. If in case the humans resort to means which can secure the freedom they are entitled to and that they rightly possess, it would cause an unheard of situation: freedom is an asset only of the beasts. Where do these humans fit in? Or rather, where does their freedom figure? It’s a nonsensical conception, after all.

To add to this misery, there come the rules, and as ironical as it can get, these rules of the Beast Kingdom defy the Rule of Law (Oh, wait. Rule of Law, what?). The Rule, Part One- ‘The beasts are anyway aggressive, it is an inherent characteristic, and habits die hard. So, humans, beware! Exercise caution to save yourselves or your loved ones. It’s your responsibility’. An additional onus, a burden. The rationale is justified, right? Why else would you die by a beast’s attack if you yourself are careful? It’s common-sense! So, humans are to be extremely careful, exercise caution because… you do not want the beasts to attack. And this is YOUR duty. (Common-sense, you said?) The Rule, Part Two- ‘Do absolutely nothing to provoke the already hungry and deprived beasts’, “provoke” being the operative term. The humans are urged to remain their submissive selves (very conveniently) and take care so as to NOT incite the wrath of the beasts.

First, a burden on humans to protect themselves, owing to the inherent ferocity of the beasts; second, an onus to not provoke the beasts by acts lying even well within their realm of freedom. It’s not only horrible that the humans are worse-off, but also that there is a weighty onus on them, so heavy that they are already collapsing under that weight. Is there more injustice that can be done? It’s time to realise- irrespective of what the humans do, whatever caution they exercise, how many ever security measures they undertake, it would flow into nothing but futility. Why, you ask? Because beasts will be beasts.