Love the things that matter

Seasonal thoughts from Norfolk Wildlife Trust evangelist Nick Acheson

A t the start of T. H. White’s The Book of Merlyn, the magician appears before King Arthur, on the eve of his final battle. The king is heavy-hearted, reflecting on all that he has done, right and wrong, in his long life, and all the people he has lost. It is many years since he last saw his tutor and at first he imagines him a dream.

Merlyn has come to teach Arthur, the Wart as he was known in childhood, some final lessons in kingship, even though his reign is already done. So he transports him back to a badger’s sett, where Arthur’s erstwhile friends, a cast of animals, are gathered: hedgehog, badger, tawny owl, goat and grass snake, among others.

Arthur begins to remember a boy from long ago, who lived among animals and openheartedly learned from them.

“Have I been stupid?” he asked slowly, “stupid not to notice animals?”

“Stupid!” cried the magician, triumphant once again … “There at last is a crumb of truth on a pair of human lips!”

The animals begin to discuss humanity’s many failings, and why sapiens, meaning wise, ought to be dropped from our scientific name. Arthur protests that humans must have some redeeming feature, to which Merlyn replies that – yes – humans’ affection for their dogs and cats ought probably to be held in their favour.