what I was thinking. I want you to be honest with me, too.
People can get into the habit of hiding their true feelings or not talking to each other. And habits are hard to break.
This reminds me of a funny thing that happened today. While all the mole-rats were huddled in their nest, I closed the nest off so that they couldnât get out. Then I changed the direction of one part of the tunnel system. For weeks there has been a long section of straight tubing coming from the nest. Butthis morning I took out the straight tubing and replaced it with a section that has several sharp turns.
When I opened the âdoorâ to the nest, the queen nudged three large workers out to investigate. They scampered out the door, as always, in a single-file line and with their eyes closed. The first mole-rat in line scampered down the tunnel and when he came to the new section, instead of following the new tunnel as it turned to the right, he tried to keep going straightâout of habitâand bumped into the wall! The other mole-rats bumped into him.
The amazing thing about mole-rats is that they make new habits quickly. I collected the three little stooges and put them back into the nest. When they came out again, they didnât make the same mistake.
Maybe you and your dad have gotten into the habit of not talking to each other. Maybe you could both break the habit?
Habitually yours,
Ayanna
Â
To:
Ayanna Bayo
From:
Robert Wallop
Sent:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:47 P.M .
Subject:
Re: Honesty
Dear Ms. Bayo:
I think it was mean of you to lock the mole-rats in their nest, change their tunnel, and then watch them bump into a wall. Did you ever consider that maybe the naked mole-rats liked their tunnel the way it was? Did you ever consider that they might not like someone sticking her fingers in and changing things? I think the queen should decide when and if changes are made to a tunnel system. If I were queen, I wouldnât make any changes. Change is bad.
Concerned,
Frankie
Â
To:
Robert Wallop
From:
Ayanna Bayo
Received:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:53 P.M .
Subject:
Change Can Be Good
Dear Frankie:
I didnât change the tunnel system for my amusement. I did it to keep the mole-rats active and challenged. A good keeper doesnât take care of her animals just by feeding them and keeping their exhibits clean. A good keeper tries to re-create some of the conditions and experiences the animals would have in the wild.
In the wild the tunnels of naked mole-rats sometimes cave in or get plugged up. So from time to time I interfere. I try to change things in ways that mimic what might happen to a mole-rat colony in the wild. That way the animals are able to respond appropriately. Change can be good! Change helps you to grow.
I do understand and share your concern. Some people do not like zoos because they believe no animals should be held captive. I believe that a good zoo is an educational institution where biologists study animals and people get the chance to see them. People can learn to respect and care about animals and their habitats by visiting exhibits in zoos like mine. If animals are well treated and given an environmentthat is as close as possible to their native habitat, then the animals can live healthy lives and help the world to be a better place. Sometimes we reintroduce animals that have been bred in captivity back into the wild. Thatâs always especially thrilling for a keeper.
For me, being a keeper is an awesome responsibility. I know these mole-rats, and I think they know that Iâm
for
them. (At least they know my smell!) The colony is very healthy and has lived a long time. The queen is pregnant again now.
Thoughtfully yours,
Ayanna
Â
To:
Ayanna Bayo
From:
Robert Wallop
Sent:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:59 P.M .
Subject:
Re: Change Can Be Good
Dear Ms. Bayo:
If naked mole-rats could talk,
People can get into the habit of hiding their true feelings or not talking to each other. And habits are hard to break.
This reminds me of a funny thing that happened today. While all the mole-rats were huddled in their nest, I closed the nest off so that they couldnât get out. Then I changed the direction of one part of the tunnel system. For weeks there has been a long section of straight tubing coming from the nest. Butthis morning I took out the straight tubing and replaced it with a section that has several sharp turns.
When I opened the âdoorâ to the nest, the queen nudged three large workers out to investigate. They scampered out the door, as always, in a single-file line and with their eyes closed. The first mole-rat in line scampered down the tunnel and when he came to the new section, instead of following the new tunnel as it turned to the right, he tried to keep going straightâout of habitâand bumped into the wall! The other mole-rats bumped into him.
The amazing thing about mole-rats is that they make new habits quickly. I collected the three little stooges and put them back into the nest. When they came out again, they didnât make the same mistake.
Maybe you and your dad have gotten into the habit of not talking to each other. Maybe you could both break the habit?
Habitually yours,
Ayanna
Â
To:
Ayanna Bayo
From:
Robert Wallop
Sent:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:47 P.M .
Subject:
Re: Honesty
Dear Ms. Bayo:
I think it was mean of you to lock the mole-rats in their nest, change their tunnel, and then watch them bump into a wall. Did you ever consider that maybe the naked mole-rats liked their tunnel the way it was? Did you ever consider that they might not like someone sticking her fingers in and changing things? I think the queen should decide when and if changes are made to a tunnel system. If I were queen, I wouldnât make any changes. Change is bad.
Concerned,
Frankie
Â
To:
Robert Wallop
From:
Ayanna Bayo
Received:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:53 P.M .
Subject:
Change Can Be Good
Dear Frankie:
I didnât change the tunnel system for my amusement. I did it to keep the mole-rats active and challenged. A good keeper doesnât take care of her animals just by feeding them and keeping their exhibits clean. A good keeper tries to re-create some of the conditions and experiences the animals would have in the wild.
In the wild the tunnels of naked mole-rats sometimes cave in or get plugged up. So from time to time I interfere. I try to change things in ways that mimic what might happen to a mole-rat colony in the wild. That way the animals are able to respond appropriately. Change can be good! Change helps you to grow.
I do understand and share your concern. Some people do not like zoos because they believe no animals should be held captive. I believe that a good zoo is an educational institution where biologists study animals and people get the chance to see them. People can learn to respect and care about animals and their habitats by visiting exhibits in zoos like mine. If animals are well treated and given an environmentthat is as close as possible to their native habitat, then the animals can live healthy lives and help the world to be a better place. Sometimes we reintroduce animals that have been bred in captivity back into the wild. Thatâs always especially thrilling for a keeper.
For me, being a keeper is an awesome responsibility. I know these mole-rats, and I think they know that Iâm
for
them. (At least they know my smell!) The colony is very healthy and has lived a long time. The queen is pregnant again now.
Thoughtfully yours,
Ayanna
Â
To:
Ayanna Bayo
From:
Robert Wallop
Sent:
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:59 P.M .
Subject:
Re: Change Can Be Good
Dear Ms. Bayo:
If naked mole-rats could talk,
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