《吃素的獅子》心得與導讀

  　《吃素的獅子》是一本顛覆傳統刻板印象，見證萬物「愛與和平」的感人之作，中文版早在2011年十月份就由大千出版社出版！

科學家都認為食肉目的獅子一定要吃肉才活得下去，但是這一頭出生後就不喜葷羶的素食母獅，不但帶給大人們心靈的慰藉，也給小孩們無比的自信，無論是電視前或演講會場的觀眾，無不受其慈愛和平的氣氛所感染，宛如聖人親臨加持般的讓人感動落淚。

大千出版社梁崇明談「吃素的獅子」

故事的開頭雖然充滿了暴力血腥，但慈愛與悲憫隨即登場，一隻被關在動物園籠子裡的憤怒母獅，瘋狂的用她強而有力的下顎咬住剛出生的小獅子，奮力往空中拋，準備讓這小生命在撞擊柵欄後結束生命。母獅似乎知道，就算小獅子能夠健康長大，終其一生也將被人類囚禁在狹小的柵欄裡，因此母獅痛下殺手，其中充滿了母愛的無奈與悲悽。

面對即將上演的悲劇，身在柵欄外的動物園園長卻無能為力，不過當母獅子扣住小獅子往上拋時，他剛好從柵欄細縫中接住這個小肉球，一個已經受傷的三磅重的小生命。他絕對想不到自己接住的這個小母獅，日後將引領許多人找回希望，找到生命的出口。

動物園園長隨即商請朋友喬治‧韋斯特布撫養這隻獅寶寶；韋斯特布見到這隻小獅子時心中雖然百感交集，但脫口而出卻是「Little Tyke」(little tyke的諧音，小傢伙的意思！)。這一見面就開啟了他和小母獅小泰克長達九年的相伴相親。

夫婦倆從幫小泰克腿傷的救治中建立了親密的情誼，每隔三小時要抱在懷裡餵食溫暖的牛奶，晚上也不例外。因此韋斯特布說：每天早晨他從來就不用鬧鐘。

在小泰克3個月大時，農場主人聽從動物園主的建議，準備教她吃固體食物，並餵它剛宰殺的新鮮牛骨，沒想到小泰克對這些濃烈的腥羶味碰都不碰，而且還將吃下去的東西都吐了出來。

為了讓小泰克習慣吃肉，韋斯特布夫婦還寫信向紐約州立動物園園長求救，動物園園長教他把奶和血混合餵她，哪裡知道小泰克還是不喝，他只好從加十滴改為五滴，甚至奶瓶裡只加入一小滴血，結果小泰克還是碰也不碰，夫婦倆只好餵她混和了穀物、牛奶及生雞蛋的食物。

韋斯特布夫婦因為擔心小泰克的營養與健康，在她四周歲時曾懸賞100美元徵求令小泰克吃肉的方法，結果也徒勞無功。直到有一天一位小男孩反問他們有沒有讀過聖經創世記1章30節「至於地上的走獸和空中的飛鳥，並各樣爬在地上有生命的物，我將青草賜給牠們作食物。”事就這樣成了。」韋斯特布夫婦這才完全接受了小泰克吃素的事實。

而吃牛奶榖片、啃牧草的小泰克，經過動物園獸醫的健康檢查，身體竟比一般的獅子還要健康！

       小泰克越大越溫柔，她與牧場中所有動物都相親相愛，因此吸引了不少慕名而來的訪客，美國媒體界因此給她一個封號~慈母聖獅。

小泰克具有敏銳的第六感，能判辨好人、壞人，而他的直覺更是讓獸醫師瞠目結舌。為了接近小泰克，獸醫師將手術刀藏在身後，但是小泰克看透了他的企圖，根本就不讓他接近，直到他放下那把手術刀後才願意和他玩在一起。對此，梁社長說：我認為她和人一樣，只是現獅子身，她的心已經是聖者的心，一個自在解脫聖者的心，才能夠有這種能力。」

有一次，韋斯特布夫婦帶著小泰克到鄉村朋友家作客，那晚半夜，竟發現原本睡在車上的小泰克不見了，幾經找尋，終於在朋友家倉庫找到她，只見小泰克在一長排的牛馬後面，充滿自信的來回踱步，就像將軍在巡視他的士兵一般！  

  　有一個極度缺乏自信的小男孩，在校受到同學的霸凌，在家又有父母將送他到教會學校的恐懼！在自卑心理作祟下，他問韋斯特布：小泰克會拉雪橇嗎？她會咬我嗎？

結果在韋斯特布的幫助下，奇蹟似的完成了小泰克第一次的拉雪橇任務；照片登上了該州最大報的頭條，哥倫比亞電視台更要求錄影訪問。就這樣，這個自卑的小男孩在眾多鎂光燈下雙眼也閃爍出自信的光芒！在小泰克的加持下，這小孩終於脫偷換骨。
小泰克個性溫柔婉約，有一次農場中的驢子邦妮因過度興奮，後腳踢中小泰克的下顎，被撞飛的她不但掉了牙還滿口鮮血，但是她還是忍受著自己的傷痛並未給予反擊。

 　　小泰克曾應邀上電視並成為好萊塢明星，曾經在拍她與小動物互動的場景時竟然將其中一隻小雞放進嘴裡，然後不知所措；夫婦倆問她怎麼了，她張大口，小雞就跳了出來。然後她用舌舔遍所有小雞，並躺在小雞身旁。

小泰克在好萊塢的演出都極為成功，許多人因為認識了小泰克而在精神與信仰上受到感召。但是好萊塢悶熱的天氣並不適合需長時間休息的小泰克，拍片數周後，她不幸的罹患了病毒性肺炎，半個多月後就病倒，有一天晚上在她看完電視後，就在睡夢中走了。

獅子原本是自然界裡最高級的肉食主義消費者，可是險遭母愛格殺的小泰克卻顛覆科學家及一般人的認知，她的出現為高貴野生在人類歷史中見證了「非暴力、愛與包容」的真諦。

小泰克永遠活在人們心裡，並不只因為她是吃素的獅子，她的慈悲及溫馴、包容與博愛，打動了無數人的心，豐富了許多人的精神與信仰生活，雖然她的出現宛如曇花一現，但是她已將愛與和平的種子散佈到世界的每個國家、每個角落，滋潤了枯槁的靈魂。
  　大千出版社出版梁崇明社長提到出版《吃素的獅子》的因緣時說：「偶然間美國的版權公司傳真了一份版權的書給他，其中有一本《吃素的獅子》，他原本很懷疑，真的有吃素的獅子嗎？經他初步了解後，發現這本書太棒了，第一、因為這是個環保問題，第二、很多人得了中風及許多的疾病其實都跟吃肉有關。」

因為本身吃素，他時常在思考怎樣勸人吃素，他第一眼看到這本書時，心中就明白這就是自己想要的書，心想只要讓人看完這本書，就可以不用再解釋老半天，這是一本教人吃素最直接、最好用的無聲教材，所以很快的就簽下版權來。

梁崇明社長說：「還沒讀這本書時，他原本以為是主人要獅子吃素，所以覺得這主人很偉大，但是讓他跌破眼鏡的是，當翻譯人員翻譯完要他試看時，他才發現自己錯了，原來是獅子要主人吃素！哇！他覺得這更了不起！」

大千出版社的梁崇明社長說：「一般人不吃素有許多原因，第一個是習慣，第二個是口欲，話然如此，但有時候他們在某種情境的觸動下，就是所謂的臨門一腳，比如說就在她們看完這本《吃素的獅子》後，那個心結就打開了，就可以完全吃素了！」

「她內在的那種心性，也就是佛家所講的那種慈悲，已經是圓滿具足了，從一生下來就沒有被蒙蔽，所以你看她外表雖然是獅子，但是和那些動物朋友在一起，不但不會吃她們，還會分享食物給那些動物吃，真的是不可思議！」

梁社長說：「小泰克確實是要來讓人們好好反省的 ！當初我真的是感動，我們人真的不能比動物不如啊！」

西方人相信「當獅子和羊能一起躺著時，世界和平就不是一個夢了。」是的，《吃素的獅子》早在1940年代就已為我們立下典範，現在該是收割的時候了，本於愛與和平，相信身為萬物之靈的人類，要有更高的自我期許，以做為黃金時代的新表率。

吃素的獅子Little Tyke
作者：喬治.H.韋斯特布(Georges H.Westbeau)著
譯者：趙閔文
出版社：大千出版社
目前這本書版權即將到期，特價199元！（郵政劃撥帳號18840432　戶名：大千出版社）
出版日期：2011年10月

https://www.peopo.org/news/225569

The Vegetarian Lion Little Tyke～The true story of a lioness who refused meat from birth 2013.12.25 7:50AM 地區: 臺灣 新北市 中和區 分類: 社會關懷 生態環保 教育學習 標籤: The Vegetarian Lion Little Tyke 吃素的獅子 梁崇明社長 PeoPo 討論區0 FB留言板0 -A +A The Vegetarian Lion Little Tyke The true story of a lioness who refused meat from birth. A Great Inspiration To All Little Tyke is an inspiring book about a vegetarian lioness who, during her brief life on Earth defied traditional notions about felines as violent, meat- eating, animals. Under the loving care of her caretakers, Margaret and Georges Westbeau, Little Tyke lived in peace and harmony with her animal friends on a ranch near Seattle, Washington, USA. The Chinese version of the book was published in 2011 by the Formosa (Taiwan) Daqien Publishing Company. Scientists have long promoted the idea that lions are natural carnivores and thus must eat meat to survive. However, from birth Little Tyke showed an unusual aversion to animal flesh, steadfastly refused any foods tainted with animal meat or blood, and remained healthy and happy all her life. On the ranch, she mingled peacefully with her many animal friends, often cuddling or playing with them. As the fame of this vegetarian lion spread, more and more people became inspired by her gentle, loving nature. Her presence and story brought much emotional comfort to both adults and children around the world. All those who had been in her presence or seen her on TV or on appearance tours were greatly touched by her peaceful demeanor. Tears would roll down their faces as if they were being blessed by an audience with a great saint. A Timely Rescue There are many cases of animals born in zoos that are rejected by their mothers. Such was the case with Little Tyke, whose mother had been born free in Africa before being brought to a zoo in the United States. The zoo curator watched outside the mother’s cage alongside his friend, Georges Westbeau who rescued the newborn cub. The zookeeper soon put the three-pound cub in the care of Mr. Westbeau, who kept an animal park on his Hidden ValleyRanch in the nearby city of Auburn, Washington. As he held the pitiful, innocent animal in his arms, Mr. Westbeaus could not help but exclaim, “You poor little tyke!” Thus began a loving, nine-year-long relationship between the Westbeaus and the amazing lioness named Little Tyke. Back on the ranch, Georges Westbeau and his wife Margaret dressed Little Tyke’s wounded leg and began the arduous task of nursing her back to health. Every three hours, day and night, they would cuddle Little Tyke and feed her warm milk. Mr. Wesbeau said that he never needed an alarm clock to wake him for the morning nursing duty. Based on the advice of the zookeeper, the Westbeaus began to wean Little Tyke to solid food at the age of three months. But when they offered her the bones of freshly slaughtered cattle, she would throw up violently! In order to make Little Tyke accept meat, the Westbeaus wrote to the experts at the New York Zoo for advice. The zookeepers suggested mixingmilk with animal blood, but Little Tyke would have nothing to do with it. They then reduced the amount to ten drops of blood in the milk, but still had no luck. Next they tried five drops, and finally one drop, but after one smell of the milk, Little Tyke refused to drink it. The Westbeaus could do nothing but switch to feeding her grains and other protein-rich, non-meat-based foods, which Little Tyke ate with great pleasure. A Vegetarian Hero The Westbeaus continued to worry about Little Tyke’s nutrition and health, and when she was four years old they even offered a thousand-dollar reward to anyone who could teach them how to make Little Tyke eat meat. But all formulas failed. Then one day a little boy who was visiting their ranch set the Westbeaus’ minds at ease. He asked them if they had ever read Genesis 1:30. Later when they checked the verse, it read, “And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.“ At that point, the Westbeaus finally accepted the fact that Little Tyke was born a vegetarian and it was meant to be. With a diet of milk, grains, grass and other roughage, Little Tyke was given a clean bill of heath by the local veterinarian. Not only that, she was pronounced healthier than the average lion! A Gentle Giant Little Tyke grew up to be a gentle giant. She was kind, loving and patient to all the animals on the ranch. And as her fame spread, many people came to visit the vegetarian lion. The US media even gave her the nickname “Mother Saint Lioness.” Little Tyke seemed to be equipped with the six sense and was able to tell good people from bad. She would nuzzle up to those she liked, which included most people, but would sometimes show her dislike by staring down at a person. On one occasion, her veterinarian had to fix a wound under her jaw. With a small surgical lancet hidden from sight, he approached Little Tyke. But Little Tyke sensed his intention, flattened her ears and snarled at him. Needless to say, there was no operation that day. Another time, the Westbeaus took Little Tyke to their friend’s place in the country for a visit. Late that night they found Little Tyke missing from her sleeping car. After a long search, they found her in the barn where she was confidently pacing back and forth behind a long row of horses and cows, like a general inspecting her troops! Also, Little Tyke once helped a boy who was the Westbeau’s neighbor suffered from a lack of confidence and was always bullied by his schoolmates. When he came to visit the Westbeaus’ ranch, he timidly asked, “Can Little Tyke pull me on the sled? Will she bite me?” Then through the Westbeaus ’arrangement, Little Tyke miraculously accomplished her first sled mission. The picture of a lion pulling a sled with a little boy on board became a headline on the front page of the state of Washington’s largest newspaper. Afterwards, the CBS network requested an interview with the boy hero and his new lion friend. Under the flashing lights of cameras, the boy lost his shyness and became a confident young man. Another incident also reflected Little Tyke’s characteristic gentleness. One day, in a fit of excitement, a playful burro named Bonnie, one of Tyke’s best friends on the ranch, raised her legs and accidentally kicked Little Tyke on the jaw. Poor Little Tyke fell down and blood gushed from her mouth. She suffered some loosened teeth and a lacerated tongue, but fortunately her jaw was not broken. Mr. Westbeau said that it was reassuring to know that Little Tyke never desired revenge for the many such hurts she suffered, and continued to be friendly with all the animals at Hidden Valley Ranch. As Little Tyke became a celebrity, invitations came in for her to appear on TV shows and in films. On one occasion, during the shooting of a movie, Little Tyke had to mingle with a flock of baby chicks. She started to lick one of the chicks, and with one slurp of her huge tongue, the chick popped into her mouth. Little Tyke didn’t know what to do. At that moment, Mr. Westbeau came over, saw the peculiar expression on her face and asked, “Tyke! What have you got?” Instantly, Tyke’s mouth opened and out popped the little chick, completely unharmed. From then on, Little Tyke carefully licked the chicks with only the tip of her tongue. A Tragic Death Movies that Little Tyke made for Hollywood producers made her a big star. Millions of people in the United States and beyond were touched by the gentleness and loving nature of the 350-pound African lion. They wrote fan letters to the Westbeaus to say that they felt spiritually uplifted at seeing a lion and a lamb lying down together. Such a peaceful, harmonious scene truly reflects the deepest desires from people of all races around the world. However, during several weeks of shooting a movie, the hot weather and demanding production schedule took a toll on Little Tyke, and she contracted viral pneumonia. Even after a few weeks of recuperation back on the ranch, she finally succumbed to the disease, and one day in her beloved home, Little Tyke fell asleep and never woke up. A Lion Who Inspired True Love Lions are commonly known as the ultimate carnivores. However, Little Tyke, the gentle African lioness, was born a vegetarian. She defied all scientific evidence that lions need to eat meat to stay healthy. Also, her very existence and her affection for her caretakers, for the animals around her, and for everyone she met exemplified non-violence, love and tolerance. In her short life on Earth, Little Tyke touched the hearts of countless people, reconnected them with the all-loving God and enriched humankind’s spiritual life. The seeds of peace she brought to the world have spread to many countries, and continue to grow and flourish. Little Tyke was indeed a messenger from God. It is predicted in the Bible that one day there will be a Heaven on Earth, where “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock.” (Isaiah 65:25). Little Tyke gave us faith that the time will indeed come when all beings will become vegetarians, the world will be free of violence, hatred and fear, and our dream of Heaven on Earth will be realized. About The Chinese Version As a vegetarian, Liang Congming, owner of Daqian Publishing Company in Formosa (Taiwan,) has long contemplated effective ways to spread the vegetarian message, which to him is not just about a diet or a way of life. In the larger scheme he feels it is about how the meat-eating lifestyle harms people’s health and how meat production damages the environment. Vegetarianism is also about love and compassion for all beings. Once when Mr. Liang received a book list from a US copyright company, he noticed the book Little Tyke, about a vegetarian lion, wondered if it was a true story and later learned that it was. He then wondered if this lion born of a wild mother captured in Africa had been made a vegetarian by her caretakers. It turned out that Little Tyke had been a vegetarian from birth and had always steadfastly refused food with even the slightest trace of animal flesh or blood. Mr. Liang was deeply impressed. “A vegetarian lion! What a wonderful story!” he thought, “If people learn that even a carnivorous animal such as a lion can ‘lie down with a lamb,’ the message is clear: Humans should also lie down with the lamb instead of eating it!” He felt that Little Tyke would be a highly effective tool in accomplishing his mission of spreading vegetarianism, and immediately decided to publish a Chinese edition of the book. Regarding her gentle, loving nature, Mr. Liang commented, “Little Tyke was the manifestation of perfect compassion taught by Buddhism. She was born with such compassion. She loved all her animal friends on the ranch without discrimination. She defied all common notions of lions being vicious animals. Her life is truly boggling to the human mind.” Mr. Liang added, “Here we have an animal with the body of a lion but the heart of a saint. Only a liberated saint could have a heart as gentle and loving as Little Tyke’s.” In the Bible, the prophet Isaiah described a state of peace and tranquility on Earth—the Golden Age—in which animals of all types lived in perfect harmony. In a time when the lion can lie down with the lamb, such a utopian dream will come true. Indeed, back in the 1940s, a vegetarian lion had already set an example for us all. It is time that we humans raise ourselves to her standard and create a peaceful world for all, including plants and animals alike. 本文發表於goldenagenews(原創為中文,由goldenagenews翻譯) 網址：http://www.goldenagenews.com/love-animals/the-vegetarian-lion-little-tyke