Beauty of the Wild

Author: Selden
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: Wolves are role models embodying beauty, nobility, and wisdom. They are resilient and strong—except against firearms, poison, and traps—they can face all challenges on Earth. Additionally, their families are unparalleled in greatness. Wolves can be said to dedicate themselves entirely to their families. They have keen and sensitive perceptions, able to sense the needs of other members within the pack. Wolves are extremely loyal to their packs and deeply passionate toward their companions. They are never reluctant to express their emotions. Wolves, this complex and beautiful life form in nature, belong to a mystery that cannot be simply explained or understood by human monetary values. Wild Beauty The eyes of the wolf are the most heart-stirring thing you can imagine, containing all the wildness on Earth. In this era where idealism has faded and the shadows of heroes have blurred, the wild radiance displayed by animals compels you to close the book in awe and respect. This year, the publication of animal books has been quite lively, but unlike in previous years, this year's animal books are primarily focused on wolves and wild animals. The trend was first set by the best-selling Wolf Totem. Subsequently, books such as Wolves: A Life Story, Wolf Nature, and Wild Beauty about wolves followed suit. We can't help but wonder, where does the charm of wolves lie? Selden, a renowned animal writer, directs his gaze toward the most wild of wolves in Wild Beauty. Selden is known as the father of animal literature, and his works such as The Lives of Wild Animals, Wild Animals Through My Eyes, and Animal Stories That Touch the World are classics of animal literature. In his writing, the noble emotions of animals often move even the coldest of human hearts. There is no reason for humans to place themselves above animals, and in the presence of the animal protagonists he describes, humans can only feel humble and ashamed. Wolves have always been among the most infamous species of wildlife. In the minds of most people, the mention of wolves immediately brings to mind wilderness, demons, and a sense of dread. Many legends and stories about wolves describe their wildness and moral curses, leading to an unrealistic fear of them. In fact, in ancient times, people were filled with wonder about wolves. The Inuit and Native Americans were among the first humans to recognize the exceptional qualities of wolves, choosing them as their totems and respecting their courage, wisdom, and remarkable skills. Among the nomadic peoples of northwestern China, wolves were also chosen as totems. Wolves and herders competed for pastures, relying on and fighting each other, which became the fate of the grassland people. This is why the horse-riding peoples of China, from ancient times to the present, do not worship the horse as a totem but instead revere the wolf. People's feelings toward wolves are very complex—they see them as fierce, cruel, and inauspicious, yet at the same time, they hold great reverence for their courage and strength. Wolves are among the highest predators on land. Because of their existence, other animals can eliminate weaker members of their own species, and because of the threat they pose, other animals are forced to evolve into greater excellence. Wolves maintain a balance in the ecosystem. Their ability to adapt to change makes them one of the most resilient life forms on Earth. Besides firearms, poison, and traps, wolves can face all challenges on Earth. Wolves automatically adjust their reproductive rates based on the space available for hunting, ensuring that the population of the pack remains at an appropriate level. Over the years, the prey of wolves has changed continuously, but wolves have always adapted flexibly and survived tenaciously. Wolves are one of the most orderly and disciplined social species. From an evolutionary perspective in natural history, wolves are also one of the most developed and successful large carnivores in the world. They possess extraordinary speed, energy, and vitality, along with rich howling information and body language, as well as highly developed senses of smell. In the eyes of zoologists, wolves are highly intelligent, compassionate animals that are indispensable to the grassland and forest ecosystems. In Chinese history, there have always been two types of national character: one is "wolf-like," represented by nomadic peoples; the other is "sheep-like," represented by agrarian peoples. The "wolf-like" nature of nomadic peoples is in contrast to the "sheep-like" nature of agrarian peoples. "Sheep-like" nations are obedient, compliant, and easy to manage, but in terms of national competitiveness, "wolf-like" nations have greater advantages. Western culture is a typical "wolf culture," and the Western system is a "wolf system." This system assumes that everyone is a wolf, which is why Europe's two world wars are not surprising. Confucianism in China has fostered the ideal of the humble gentleman as social elites, while fewer people like Zhang Qian and Zheng He, who possess a "wolf-like" spirit of exploration, exist today. When the "Age of Great Navigation" arrived, Western explorers, with the courage of wolves, broke through the waves without hesitation, discovering an incredibly vast world. In this era where idealism has faded and the shadows of heroes have blurred, the wild radiance displayed by wolves compels us to stand in awe.