“Betty, I let Cadmus into the backyard about an hour ago. Could you check on him and see if he’s ready to get back and have a snack?” Mrs. Thompson asked Betty while making more pancakes for her daughter and her friend, who came to stay with them for a few days.
“Sure, Mom,” Betty said as she descended the stairs.” Isn’t it great that Vivi is here? Now she can play with Cadmus before we go to school.”
“Yes, dear,” smiled Mrs. Thompson, “Vivi is a beautiful addition to this household. I prepared some sandwiches with the leftovers for lunch today with the hummus she made for us last night. I believe her mom will return tomorrow from visiting her friend. I got used to Vivi being around here, walking Cadmus to the park. Where is she, by the way?”
“I told you, Mom,” said Betty impatiently, “She practices Anapana when she wakes up for ten minutes. It’s that breathing technique Ms. Williams taught her at the beginning of the year to make her transition easier. I wish Ms. Williams had taught me that too. It seems to help Vivi focus and not get overwhelmed by people’s reactions. I have so much to learn from her.” Betty sighed and ate her pancake with maple syrup quietly.”
“Why don’t you ask Ms. Williams to teach you Anapana, Betty? She seems very open to it.” Mrs. Thompson said, drinking her Green Tea slowly. It was her favorite drink to start the day.
“I don’t know, Mom. She seems so busy with other students. I don’t feel close to her. Maybe Vivi could help me approach her.” Betty said pensively, “Here’s Vivi,” her face brightened up, seeing her best coming to the kitchen table.
“Pancakes!” Vivi exclaimed, “My favorite breakfast. How did you know, Mrs. Thompson?”
“Your mom told me before she left you in my care,” said Mrs. Thompson, “Betty, please check on Cadmus. It’s getting a bit late.”
“I’m doing it!” Betty rolled her eyes in exasperation, opened the back door for Cadmus, and stared at an empty yard. There was no sign of Cadmus, her lovely two-year-old mutt dog.
“Mom!” Betty yelled, “Cadmus is gone!”
Mrs. Thompson and Vivi jumped out to join Betty, trying to locate their beloved dog. Vivi pointed at a hole under the fence, “He must have dug his way out. What a creative creature!”
“What do you mean, ‘creative creature,’ yelled Betty, her face flushed. “He’s My Dog. He can’t just dig himself out! I would have taken him to the park myself. I can’t believe he did it to me!”
Her mom hugged her soothingly, “I’m sure he’ll be back, Betty. Go finish your breakfast.”
“I can’t eat. I must find Cadmus!” Betty said between sobs.
“Betty, it’s time for school,” said Vivi. “What if we ask Mary, the librarian, to print some posters with Cadmus’s picture? After school, we can distribute them around the neighborhood.”
“I can’t go to school if Cadmus is gone like that. Maybe something has happened to it? A great dog like that, somebody may have kidnapped him, and I’ll never see him again!” Betty started sobbing again.
Vivi and Mrs. Thompson looked at each other. “Honey,” said Mrs. Thompson, “I’m not teaching today. I’ll print some posters at home and post them around the neighborhood. I will also post a message on our neighborhood Facebook group and email the list serve. Please, go study.” She looked at her daughter’s flushed face and kissed her on the nose. “Now, get ready. The bus will be here any moment. We’ll find Cadmus.”
“I know,” Betty admitted as they got on the bus. “I’m so attached to him. It’s like he knows all of my deepest thoughts and feelings. Sometimes Cadmus crawls into bed with me, and I hold him. It’s such a comforting feeling.” She let out a sigh.
“Do you think we should suggest it as a topic for Ms. Williams’ class?” Vivi asked, leaving Betty her favorite window seat close to the end of the bus.
“Sure,” said Betty, thanking Vivi for her gesture, “You will represent the side of freeing the dogs, and I’ll suggest why we should keep it as it is. ok?”
“Sounds good, but please don’t be mad at me, Betty. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to hurt you.” said Vivi with concern.
“How can you hurt me, Silly? It’s about dogs, not us.” Betty laughed nervously as the bus stopped at the school, and they rushed to class.
Ms. Williams spotted them on the way in and said, “Hi, girls. Do you have a moment?”
“Yes?” they both said in unison.
Ms. Williams smiled and continued, “I have to take over my colleague’s class and write tasks on the board for the students to work on. It will take me around twenty minutes to do attendance and complete this task. Can you please engage the class in a discussion during this time?”
Vivi and Betty looked at each other in amazement. It was as if Ms. Williams knew what they intended.
“Sure,” said Vivi, “Don’t worry, Ms. Williams. We have a great topic. It’s about dogs.”
“Thanks,” sighed Ms. Williams, “I knew I could count on you. Come in, and we’ll start attendance here before I go to the other class.” She entered the classroom, and the girls followed her. Vivi still felt a bit concerned about Betty’s reaction to her, but she trusted Betty’s friendship that things would end well.
“Kids,” the teacher called after reading attendance, “I have to attend another class for a few minutes. Vivi and Betty will conduct a discussion. Please don’t give them a hard time. After all, they’re your friends. Be nice. See you in a few.” Ms. Williams left the room, and the kids looked curiously at Betty and Vivi, anticipating entertainment.
“Well,” said Vivi, “how many of you have dogs?” She counted fifteen hands. “Wow, that’s impressive,” she said, “I don’t, but Betty does. She has a charming mutt called Cadmus. I had a dream last night that brought up the idea that dogs are not friendly because they like us but depend on us. We feed them, take them on walks, and tell them when to eat and when to go. We train them not to bark. All in all, we control their life, something like we’d do to an enslaved person.
Betty interjected, “But it’s not like that at all! I love my Cadmus. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him. And he loves me. He always shakes his tail when he sees me. He always licks my hand when he greets me. He’s my best friend.”
Vivi raised her hand to take her turn when Mike shouted excitedly, “We want blood! Come on, Betty! Show how much you care for Cadmus. Hit that little Miss Know-it-all!”
Jamie sitting next to Mike, said, “Stop that, Mike, you bully. These girls try to show two opposite ways of thinking—something you can’t imagine possible. For you, it’s hit or run. My brother brought a puppy home a few months ago – all eager to take care of someone else. Still, I feed it and take it out when I return from school, not because I want to, but because it’s there, and everybody else is too busy to care. I started thinking of giving it to a shelter. It’s so complicated.”
Chuck said, “I don’t like dogs. I’m afraid of them. I worked a summer delivering mail, and a dog jumped on me and almost tore my arm. I have a scar. Why can’t people take care of their pets?” He said in a troubled voice and looked at Betty as if she had anything to do with his experience.
Johnny desired a furry friend: “I want a dog to welcome me home.”
Vivi interrupted, expressing concern for the well-being of animals kept in apartments all day waiting for their owners. “Isn’t it selfish to only think of our needs? Think about the quality of life for the animal.”
Betty, who had a soft spot for Johnny, defended his desire for a dog, saying, “It’s a good life for them. They’re cared for and not out on the streets scavenging for food. Vivi, don’t criticize those who love dogs. You’re the selfish one.”
As Ms. Williams walked down the hallway, she heard the sound of children fighting. She quickly entered the room and shut the door behind her, causing the kids to quiet down immediately. Although they were relieved to see her return, they felt frustrated that they couldn’t express themselves fully. Ms. Williams noticed Vivi staring at her shoes and Betty breathing heavily with messy hair. She took a moment to compose herself before calmly addressing the class. “Thank you, Betty and Vivi, for your lively presentation. As you may recall, we studied in Biology about Symbiosis. There are three basic types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Mutualism is a relationship in which both organisms benefit. For example, bacteria live in the digestive system of cows. The bacteria help the cows by breaking down plants that the cows eat. In turn, the cows provide a place to live and a food source for the bacteria.
Commensalism is a relationship in which one organism benefits, but the other is neither helped nor harmed. Remora fish and sharks have a commensal relationship. Remora fish attach themselves to sharks. The fish eat scraps left over by the sharks, and neither harms the other. Parasitism is a relationship in which one organism benefits but harms the other. The organism that gains from the exchange is known as a parasite. Ticks and fleas are examples of parasites. They attach themselves to a dog, a cat, or another host and feed off its blood. Please grab your notebooks, write about your perspective on the presentation about dogs, and think about what kind of symbiosis people have with them.”
Vivi and Betty returned to their seats and sat together for the rest of the class without speaking. Ms. Williams noticed the tension between them and made a note to talk to them after class to help them resolve their negative emotions toward each other.
Fifteen minutes later, Ms. Williams said, “Please raise your hand once you’ve finished and are happy with your writing. We’d love to hear your composition.” Jamie raised her hand.
“Jamie, would you like to read?” Ms. Williams asked with enthusiasm. Jamie responded with a nod, said, “Yes, I’d love to,” and started reading confidently, “On my way to the grocery store recently, I came across a pit bull walking beside his owner, who was busy texting. The dog seemed to gaze at me with confusion and humility, questioning the purpose of his presence and why this man was holding his leash.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to the pit bull I saw. I wanted to take the dog home and play with him as The Little Prince did with his fox. However, the fox warned me against doing anything rash. “Keep walking,” he advised. “You can’t change someone else’s world, only your own.”
I continued arguing with the fox, insisting that the pit bull looked so sad and that I couldn’t leave him there. But the fox reminded me that we needed to get to the grocery store for flour and tomato sauce to make pizza for my mother.
Although it was a hard decision, I agreed with the fox and thanked him for his wisdom. As much as I wanted a dog, my mother and I were both away from home too much to give one the attention it deserved.
I once read in a book given to me by my father that dogs became our companions because we were nomads who left behind scraps of food for them to eat. Over time, we domesticated them, and they depended on us for everything. We control their bathroom habits, put collars on them, and claim they are happy. I would not want to be a dog. I would rather be a free cockroach than a captive pit bull.
Last night, I had a dream that I was the dog liberator. I traveled from town to town, encouraging dogs to leave their owners and reconnect with the wolves who could teach them about their ancestry. Each wolf was paired with a dog, teaching them how to hunt and raid chicken coops. However, things worsened when people began to view dogs as pests. I realized then that I had made a mistake. I begged the dogs to return to their masters, but it was too late. The dogs had tasted freedom, and a war broke out between dogs and humans. It was a chaotic and unsettling situation. I take full responsibility for my actions as a dog liberator. No one requested or pressured me to take on this role. I realize now that I failed to consider the potential adverse outcomes that could arise from starting such a movement. I had good intentions when I wanted the dogs to experience freedom. Still, they must remember their gratitude towards their owners for providing them with food and walks. Instead, they are angry about being held captive for many generations. The presence of the wolves served as a reminder of what it truly means to be free. This dream left me uneasy, and I vowed never to ask my mom for a dog. The situation is quite complex.” After finishing reading, Jamie glanced around as if she had just returned from a different time and place.
Ms. Williams expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Jamie. Your work was exceptional and showed creativity and thoughtfulness. With your permission, I would like to share it in the school newsletter.” As the bell sounded, Ms. Williams said, “Vivi and Betty, please come see me before heading out on your break.”
When class ended, the girls approached Ms. Williams, and Vivi immediately apologized to Betty, “Betty, I am truly sorry. I was insensitive. I knew you were grieving Cadmus’s loss, and yet I blamed dog owners for being inconsiderate. It was inappropriate timing. Please forgive me.”
“I am responsible for what happened,” Betty admitted. “I told you on the bus that your opinions on dogs would not affect our relationship, yet I accused you of selfishness. I overreacted, and it was not your fault. I am simply concerned about Cadmus. I pray that my mother has put up posters and shared them throughout the community. I can’t believe I won’t see Cadmus again.”
“I completely understand your concern, Betty, about possibly losing Cadmus,” expressed Ms. Williams. “Pets become like family, and it can be difficult to imagine life without them. However, we must remember that dogs are animals, and during this season, they may become attracted to females in heat. Cadmus may have followed his instincts and gone after a female dog. Once they have finished mating, Cadmus will likely return home safely.”
“Thank you, Ms. Williams.” Betty unexpectedly wrapped her arms around Ms. Williams’s waist and began to cry. “I don’t know what to do. I’m overwhelmed by these intense emotions. I even yelled at my best friend to express her opinion. Can you teach me, Anapana? Vivi has been practicing it, and I can see how much she has changed. I want to experience that change too. I want to be more like you!” Betty laughed, and they both joined in.
“Betty, you don’t have to try to be like me,” Ms. Williams said, “Just be yourself. I would love to teach you the Anapana technique after school today. Vivi could join us too. Practicing in a group can help us observe the changes we experience moment by moment and create powerful energy. Could you ask your mother if you and Vivi could study and practice Anapana with me after school? Ms. Williams shook a stubborn brown curl off her face while speaking.
“Ms. Williams,” Vivi asked timidly, “Could we ask Chuck to join us? He and I practiced Anapana together for ten minutes before the first period in school for a while.”
“Vivi, that’s a wonderful suggestion,” Ms. Williams exclaimed before turning to Chuck, who was patiently sitting at his desk. “Chuck, would you mind joining us for a moment? I will be teaching Betty the Anapana technique after school. It would benefit us all to practice together as a group, as it will create stronger energy and lead to quicker positive changes.”
Chuck nodded as he approached them and said, “I did feel my practice was deeper when I did it with Vivi.”
Vivi blushed and said, “So did I. When I practiced Anapana with you before the first period at school, the whole day went smoother. I was calmer than when I practiced on my own at home.”
“All right, kids,” Ms. Williams said, checking her watch. “The break is almost over. I’ll see you all in my office after school. It will be cozy in that little room.” She added, exiting the room and leaving behind the lingering fragrance of her well-known jasmine scent.
“I’m sorry about Cadmus, Betty,” Chuck said, looking at her with concern, “I know how close you are to him. I still think he’ll be back. After all, where will he find a better master? You’re the best!” he added with fervor.
Vivi nodded and said, “No hard feelings, right? We’ll do everything to find Cadmus. I’m so glad you’re going to learn about Anapana. Then we could practice it together! Hey, guess what. We have a few minutes before the end of the break. I have an alfajor for lunch. Let’s not wait but eat something delicious to celebrate Betty’s learning of Anapana today. It’s going to be awesome!” She hurried to her desk and took her lunch out, taking special care of the delicious cargo. “Here, Betty, you take the largest bit. Chuck and I will share the rest.” Vivi gave Betty, who was already feeling better anticipating the heavenly flavor of the alfajor, and Chuck felt glad Vivi took him as her trusted friend.
On their lunch break, Betty told Johnny the exciting news, “Ms. Williams is going to teach me the Anapana technique, and I’ll be able to practice with Vivi every morning. You should ask her to teach you too!”
“Yeah,” Johnny nodded, chewing on his veggie burger with extra ketchup, “I don’t like sitting in one place for a long time, but maybe it could work. I have lots of time by myself when I get home.”
The children exchanged glances. Johnny’s parents worked long hours, leaving him alone until they returned. “You know what,” Betty suggested, “maybe you could wait for us after practice and come home with us. If Cadmus isn’t home, I’ll need your support.” She added shyly.
“Of course, Betty, I should have thought of that myself,” Johnny replied. “I’ll wait outside when you’re finished.” He smiled at Betty. Chuck and Vivi exchanged looks. They understood how he felt. They all shared a close bond, but Johnny and Betty were becoming particularly close.
***
“Come in,” Ms. Williams invited the three kids into her small office. They all sat in the seats Ms. Williams prepared for them, and Betty looked around in astonishment. “Wow,” she whispered, “This office is so green and warm! I wish we could study here instead of in that harsh classroom.”
“You know what,” said Ms. Williams looking at Betty with admiration, “It’s not a bad thought. I’ll talk to the principal and ask permission to transform our home classroom into a more intimate space. What do you think? A few plants and pictures. It could add to concentration and a relaxed feeling when we study. It’s a wonderful idea!” Ms. Williams moved her hands as if redesigning the space. “But now, let’s concentrate on the reason we’re here. Let’s practice Anapana together, but before that, Betty, I’d like you to read this paper and see if you can comply with it.” Ms. Williams presented Betty with The Five Promises. Betty read the paper aloud in a solemn voice:
“I promise to try to treat all beings kindly and not kill them or harm them in any way.
I promise to take only what is given to me and not take anything which belongs to others without permission.
I promise to treat other boys and girls like brothers or sisters or best friends.
I promise to speak truthfully, kindly, and gently and not to tell lies or to say hurtful things to anybody or about anybody.
I promise not to take alcohol, drugs, or intoxicants but to keep my mind clear.
I do, Ms. Williams. Especially now that I’m afraid Cadmus is gone, I need to be close to my friends and support them.” Betty looked at Vivi and Chuck, who nodded in reassurance. “Can I have The Five Promises? I want to hang it in my room and remind myself of their importance.”
“Of course, Betty. It’s yours. You can even decorate it and make it pretty,” said Ms. Williams, “Now, I would like you all to close your eyes and observe your breath. Don’t control it. Observe it. If your breathing is fast, let it be fast. If it’s slow, let it be slow. If it’s deep, continue breathing deeply; if it’s shallow, keep it shallow. Just observe your breathing as it is. Keep your eyes close for a few minutes and feel your breath. I’ll do the same.”
Ms. Williams closed her eyes and joined the kids silently for a few minutes, then said calmly. “While breathing, please concentrate on the area between your nose and upper lip and feel the air touching that area as you breathe. Feel how the air touches the area between your nostrils and the upper lip. Let’s do that for a couple of minutes. When your mind wanders away, and you catch yourself thinking of other things, bring your mind back to the breath with no judgment. It’s ok. This technique is a new process to cultivate. It may not feel natural at first, but keep doing it. Notice your breath, the air touching the exit of your nostrils, between your nose and your upper leap, and keep your eyes closed. This way, it would be easier for you to concentrate on your breath and keep your mind engaged on the breath.” They all sat quietly, practicing the new technique. Then Ms. Williams said, “Ok, you can open your eyes now.” She looked at Betty, who looked much calmer than before.
“There is one more part at the end of the meditation. We call it Sending Metta. In that part, we send loving-kindness to ourselves, our friends and family, people we don’t necessarily like, and all sentient beings on the planet. It takes just a couple of minutes. Now that Cadmus is missing, we could send him Metta to ease his path home. Would you like to join me? I will lead the process this time, but you may say your own words when you practice it.”
Betty nodded, they all closed their eyes again, and Ms. Williams said confidently, soothingly.
“May I be happy, be peaceful
May my mother be happy, be peaceful
May my father be happy, be peaceful,
May all my brothers and sisters be happy, be peaceful
May all my classmates be happy, be peaceful
May all my schoolmates be happy, be peaceful
May all my neighbors be happy, be peaceful
May all the people of my country be happy, be peaceful
May all the people of the world be happy, be peaceful
May all the sentient beings of this world be happy, be peaceful.”
They sat for another moment in silence, and then Ms. Williams said, “Betty, do you have any questions?”
Betty asked, “How often should I practice Anapana?”
“My teacher, Goenka, recommends ten minutes in the morning and before bed. You can also practice when you need extra help, like before a test or when you’re feeling nervous or tense,” replied Ms. Williams. “Do you have any other questions?”
“Ms. Williams, now that Vivi lives with me, can I practice it with her?” Betty asked.
“That’s an excellent question, Betty. To help with wandering thoughts, practice with others to keep focused and inspire each other is very beneficial. This way, you inspire each other, and your mind gets calmer. Anything else?” Ms. Williams added, scanning her students amiably.
They shook their heads and remained quiet for a moment. The energy in the room was so clear and calm. They didn’t want to leave. Chuck said, “Thank you, Ms. Williams. Since I started practicing Anapana, I’m not as skittish as before. Sometimes I even forget to check if Mike is after me.” He laughed nervously.
Vivi shared, “I practice Anapana twice daily and have noticed that it helps me stay calm. However, when Mike says something hurtful, my breathing becomes fast, and I lose control. I try to do Anapana as soon as possible, which prevents me from becoming mean or crying.”
Ms. Williams kindly explained, “Meditation is a process. Doing it in a group can help steady the mind and strengthen the practice. You can even do it virtually if you’re not in the same physical space.”
Chuck interjected, “That’s a great idea! Do you mind if we do it virtually? I’d love that!”
“Of course, Chucky! It would be awesome!” Vivi replied.
Betty asked, “Do I have to become Buddhist to practice Anapana correctly?”
Ms. Williams clarified, “Anapana is a non-sectarian breathing technique that can benefit anyone, regardless of religion or belief in God. It helps cultivate inner peace and see reality as it is. If you’re Jewish, it helps you to be a better Jew. If you’re a Christian, it helps you to be a better Christian. It’s just a breathing technique to help you be a better you,” she smiled.
She continued, “Ok, kids, I’m here for you. The most important part is to continue your practice of ten minutes of Anapana in the morning and ten minutes of Anapana at night. I’m always here for you if you have any questions or want to share something with me. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry.” She smiled and opened her office door.
The kids still didn’t move as if they wanted to stay in the safe environment of the office, where every corner was filled with love and care, plants, and smiling students.
Ms. Williams continued to stand at the open door, radiating love and compassion. Slowly they got up, nodded to Ms. Williams in gratitude, and joined the herd of children leaving the school after a friendly basketball match. The different energy hit them like a storm. They looked at each other in surprise and started laughing.
“Welcome to the real world,” Vivi said to them and shook her head on the way to the exit. “Can you imagine a world where we lived surrounded by the same energy we felt at Ms. Williams’ office?”
Chuck reflected on the situation and said, “Maybe it’s not the world that needs to change, but how we experience it. Before entering Ms. Williams’s office, if I experienced such intense energy from the basketball-winning team, I would have been paralyzed with fear and checked my pockets for candy. But after practicing Anapana for a few weeks, I can feel the guys’ enthusiasm and excitement without fear.”
“That’s amazing,” said Betty, “how our feelings change depending on the story we tell ourselves. When I saw Cadmus disappear from the yard this morning, I felt desperate, as if it was all my fault. I wasn’t good enough for him, and he went to look for a better master. I was even angry at him for leaving me. After Ms. Williams explained that Cadmus’s behavior may have nothing to do with me, but it was natural for male dogs to follow the scent of female dogs in heat, I calmed down. I still miss him terribly, and I hope to see him soon, but I lost my anxiety.”
Vivi interjected, “I just got a text from your mom. Your phone is on mute. She’s waiting outside the school. Let’s go! Chucky, you want to come with us? I’m sure Mrs. Thompson won’t mind.”
Chuck shook his head, “Sorry, but I must go home and see my grandmother. She probably prepared this great vegetarian meal for me and waited for me. I want to share what we just experienced at Ms. Williams’ office with her. She talked about wanting to take the Ten Days Vipassana Retreat, the Anapana course for grown-ups. Let’s go!”
The kids hurried up outside. Now there were very few people waiting to get a ride home. At the corner, they could spot Mrs. Thompson. She was not alone. Cadmus was with her, swaying his bushy long tail right and left and barking. Mrs. Thompson let him off the leash. Cadmus and Betty ran toward each other like lovers in a slow-motion movie.
“Cadmus!”Betty cried, hugging her dog, caressing it, and kissing it.
Cadmus barked in kind, licking Betty’s face and caressing her face with the soft part of his foot.
Vivi and Chuck joined them while Mrs. Thompson and Ms. Williams watched the scene from afar.
Betty kept mumbling and humming into Cadmus’s long fur. “You’re home! You made it home! We sent you metta, and you showed up at school.” She looked at Ms. Williams, who approached them and caressed Cadmus’s head.
Ms. Williams said, “We say it’s the way of Dhamma, The Path. When we work with Dhamma, Dhamma works with us ten times fold. If you continue to practice Anapana and do your best to follow the Five Promises, Dhamma will always be on your side. Now go home, and give Cadmus some water. He must have great experiences to share with you, but he looks thirsty. Bye, kids, see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Ms. Williams,” they waved at her, “See you tomorrow.”