The fish put out its head in the midst of the lake,
and the far shore knew at once of its presence.’

The old saying enshrines a moral teaching. The responsibility of my actions. All that I do, even alone in the secret intimacy of my own thoughts, has far-reaching repercussions. An idea shows its head on the surface of my mind…, and my friends far in the horizon wink their eyes. Whatever I think, whatever I say, whatever I do has a public, social, cosmic reach in the unity of nature, and kindred vibrations that link us in essential brotherhood and sisterhood with all human beings and the whole world around us. My life touches all, just as the lives of all affect my own. No one is an island.

Maybe the lakeshore has not seen the jumping fish. Maybe it is Lake Titikaka in the heights of the Andes, or Victoria Lake in the jungles of Africa, where the blue expanse of the diamond waters keeps out of sight the centre of the lake from the distance of the shore. But even without being seen, it is felt. The water obeys the movement, and the smallest contact with the surface brings news-laden crests of eager waves to the far-off boundaries. Instant sensitivity of virgin nature. Image and inspiration for our individual conscience that it may learn how to feel related to all other consciences and to gauge the unsuspected reach of a minimal action before the silent but alert expectation of society at large.

All have seen me put my head out. All know about it. Everyone has been told by now. I am not saying that the fear that they may come to know is going to make me keep my head under water; but I do say that, if I make up my mind to put my head out, I must do it with the full knowledge that all will come to know, and that my gesture can affect them in one way or another. Nothing will remain hidden, and the knowledge of this fact will help me to be clearer in my intentions, straighter in my thoughts, purer in my actions. Whatever I do can help or hinder someone. This simple thought can help me do better whatever I do. ‘Nobody is saved alone’, is repeated saying of eternal truth. We all go hand in hand, and we’ll do well to keep that always in mind. The shores of the lake know everything about the fish in it.

Fernando Pessoa expressed the same truth in the flashing depth of his inimitable language:

‘When I bestir, I can’t help the sensation
that I disturb the stars in their station.’

The remote stars shake in their distant hideouts when I move upon earth. They too know everything and react to everything that happens in the universe of which they form part. Maybe that explains why they twinkle in their heights as they watch our comings and goings. Cosmic responsibility, which once more becomes practical metaphor and poetic reminder of our social responsibility. Even the stars are disturbed when I move. And I am joyfully grateful at the spatial notice. I want to behave better from now on; I want to be more authentically and fully whatever I am called to be, for the well-being of the lakes and the stars. Every time I look up to heaven, I will think of this.