Monday, November 11, 2013

115: Bato of the Water Tribe



Monk Gyatso:  It is scary to go off alone, or to be separated from those of our families and friends.  The Southern Water Tribe has been scattered.  The men went to war, the children, mothers and wounded had to stay behind.  It has been hard to be left behind.   

Sokka, Katara, and Bato all got left behind.  The war has broken apart families, tribes, and friends.   

Aang is afraid of being left behind in this chapter, and we see how his fear moves him to do something he shouldn’t.  He was disloyal and dishonest with his friends.  He put his own needs selfishly above theirs.   

Our emotions can be quite powerful, and if we aren’t careful, they can lead us to do things we know aren’t right.  Although it would have been hard, Aang needed to let them make their choices.

Faith, hope, and love help us overcome anger, fear, and jealousy.  We must hold to these.  Aang should have had faith that his friends wouldn’t leave him: faith in their loyalty.  Also he should have had love for them enough to let them go if they choose.   

Respecting others’ freedom can be hard, but it is necessary if you want others to trust you.  Aang needed faith to overcome his fear that if they decided to leave him, he would be all right. 

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