The Bittern — A Lesson in Empathy

In remembering empathy, we rediscover our own humanity.

In the story, the Bittern is a weary bird living only by instinct. Hungry and exhausted, he catches the little dragonfly, ready to eat him as he has so many others. But when the dragonfly pleads for his life and shares his purpose—to discover the meaning of existence—the Bittern pauses. Something in the dragonfly’s words awakens a long-forgotten part of himself, a part that once wondered about the same things. For a moment, survival gives way to remembrance—and the Bittern feels empathy.

He releases the dragonfly and even carries him to safety, saying that he understands the journey and hopes they may meet again. In that moment, he rediscovers his own soul.

“There is more to life than just eating or being eaten.”

The Bittern reminds us that empathy is born when we stop seeing others only through the lens of our own needs. In a world that often feels consumed by struggle—where so many are simply trying to survive—it’s easy to forget that everyone we meet carries unseen battles and unspoken dreams. Like the Bittern, we are asked to look beyond instinct, beyond fear, and listen to one another’s stories.

When we do, something shifts within us. We begin to remember our shared humanity, the quiet truth that connects us all.

I think we all have the potential to be any—or all—of the characters in the story.