Just like many other people walking on this Earth, I, too, have some eccentricities. I have a very specific list of food items that I hate eating. Hatred is actually a strong word, I jut can't stand those food, or I feel guilty and awkward whilst force-digesting them on certain unfortunate moments.
Within this list, "Duck" has a high place. High in a sense that even if no other food is available, I still don't want to eat it--I'd rather starve than eat Duck. So whenever a host invites me for food and offers me cooked duck, roasted duck or any other form of duck ,I have to politely decline.
This happens quite a lot when I visit my in laws. They have a thing for ducks (like many other normal people--Disclaimer: I am the eccentric one; it is solely my problem that I fail to devour ducks with the same level of passion and pleasure others, including my beloved wife can.)
Let me elaborate a bit on the disclaimer part. I am by no means a vegetarian; I love eating chicken and beef, and I also believe that having a preference for ducks (as a food item) is perfectly normal, and I reiterate; it's all in my mind.
I tried thinking a lot. What are the repelling factors that prevent me from enjoying a good "duck meal"? Both my parents and sister, and almost everyone else in the family I know eats duck. I wouldn't say everyone "loves" duck, but no one else has an issue with them birds. So, it's not a family thing.
I enjoy meat. I love beef and I prefer exotic chicken dishes. I am even up for mutton and lamb, and I am sure I will try venison or rabbits if I come across them someday. So, it's not a vegetarian thing either.
I am not allergic to Ducks. I have eaten (or had been forced to) ducks many times, but I never enjoyed eating the meat and a constant feeling of guilt engulfed me. Guilt.....
Yes, after analyzing all facts and thinking hard, I could only come up with one explanation. I feel guilty while eating ducks and it brings a bad taste in my mouth. I just can't continue eating the once alive now turned in to food cute little birds.
Just look at this image. An image of a white bird which signifies serenity, peace, innocence and calmness. You may term me a hypocrite or you can just say I am "full of shit", but the fact remains--I feel guilty.
I feel like a killer,a criminal who is in some way linked with the murder of an innocent living being. If I was less voracious, this bird might have not ended up in the dining table. He might have still flown across the blue skies with his white wings spread across. I can see the image clearly in my mind. Ducks, making their not so cute quack quack noise and flying above my head like free angels.
Well, comparing ducks with angels is a bit outrageous, but there is no point in denying the fact that while alive, they are cute, lively and full of life. No one has the right to kill a duck who was a wife to a male duck or a mother to a group of young ducklings or yet to be hatched eggs. Also, killing a male duck might make the young ducklings orphan.
In an era of violence and indifference, writing pages after pages on the lives of ducks seem like a uncalled for luxury. And yet, I am writing away, trying to explain my dilemma. I don't shed a single tear when thousands of people are dying under the rubble of a crashed building, but I can't eat ducks because they are cute while living.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I can't stop the killing of innocent human beings, but I can at least play my small part in giving the same fate to innocent ducks, right?
Well, comparing ducks with angels is a bit outrageous, but there is no point in denying the fact that while alive, they are cute, lively and full of life. No one has the right to kill a duck who was a wife to a male duck or a mother to a group of young ducklings or yet to be hatched eggs. Also, killing a male duck might make the young ducklings orphan.
In an era of violence and indifference, writing pages after pages on the lives of ducks seem like a uncalled for luxury. And yet, I am writing away, trying to explain my dilemma. I don't shed a single tear when thousands of people are dying under the rubble of a crashed building, but I can't eat ducks because they are cute while living.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I can't stop the killing of innocent human beings, but I can at least play my small part in giving the same fate to innocent ducks, right?
