“WATER, water, quench fire; fire won’t burn stick; stick won’t beat dog; dog won’t bite pig; pig won’t jump over the stile, and I shan’t get home tonight!”
This is a nursery rhyme I remember from when I was young. It reminds us of how interconnected our lives are. It is often said that our lives are “open books” — we live and let live.
In other words, we are often “fired up.” Passion, or the fire within us, is generally considered a good thing.
However, as we go through the business of living, we realize that too much fire is not good for you. It brings to mind the famous singer Jovit Baldivino, who sang about how too much love will kill you. Excess can be dangerous.
That danger became reality recently in a barangay in this city. The fire that occurred at Sitio Roosevelt, Barangay Saray, was devastating for those living there.
Thank God, there were no casualties in terms of lives lost. Yet, 40 families were rendered homeless. The city government and private individuals stepped in to help, with many victims evacuating to the barangay gym or seeking shelter with relatives.
This brings to light an old belief: that one should not house fire victims for fear that the host will also become a fire victim sooner or later.
I also recall reports about huge fires that occurred recently in high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. The fire was reported to have spread rapidly because of scaffolding made of bamboo, quickly jumping to nearby buildings.
So, what are the important lessons here?
First, structural safety matters. But second, and perhaps more importantly, we must debunk the superstition regarding kindness. It is not true that relatives of fire victims will suffer the same fate if they open their homes.
We must prioritize compassion over fear. The only thing that spreads faster than fire is the warmth of helping one another.
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