Nida Khan Writes

Pity. sympathy. Empathy.

A difference as frail as a dandelion, as sturdy as a mountain.

A difference that if understood, can change the world.

Don’t pity the downtrodden

But pity the anarchists

For they are headed for a senseless abyss

Don’t pity the mentally challenged,

But sympathize with the humanely challenged,

For they have an illness beyond cure

Don’t sympathize with people on the loss of their riches,

But pity their enslaved lives

Empathize with the fallen, walk a second in their shoes

Feel their blisters on the soles of your feet

And weep their tears through your eyes

Then you will stand up for them, shout for them

Then you will change their worlds

Don’t sympathize when you can empathize

Don’t pity when you can show sympathy

Don’t trample on feelings because you can’t tell the simple difference

Pity. Sympathy. Empathy.

A difference as frail as a dandelion, as sturdy as a mountain.

A difference that if understood, can change the world.

*Nida S.*