We think of some animals as our friends. Others we may think of as dangerous, and others we hardly think of at all. But all animals, from the family dog to the tiniest mouse, are, like us, living, feeling beings. We can learn more about how animals experience life by developing empathy toward them—in other words, by identifying with their needs and feelings to understand them better.

For a classic example of writing that displays empathy toward an animal, read this passage from Anna Sewell’s classic novel, Black Beauty—The Autobiography of a Horse. In it, a horse named Ginger tells Black Beauty of her experience with humans. Then think about how the author shows empathy toward Ginger and her plight.

The man that had the care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not mean that he ill-used me, but he did not care for us one bit further than to see that we had plenty to eat and shelter in the winter. Very often the great boys passing through [our field] would fling stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, but one young colt was badly cut in the face ... we settled it in our minds that boys were our enemies.

We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down ... and chasing each other round and round. But when it came to breaking in, that was a bad time for me; several men came to catch me ... one caught me by the nose ... so tight I could hardly draw my breath; ... and so by force they got on the halter and the bar in my mouth; one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging behind ... this was the first experience I had of men’s kindness ...

... I had a good deal of spirit ... it was dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose.

Part 1
The passage you’ve just read shows that empathy is the key to understanding what animals are feeling. Now read each situation below. Then, in the spaces provided, list all the feelings you can think of that each animal might be experiencing.

1. A dog let into a warm home on a very cold night feels ...
________________, ________________, ________________, ________________

2. A pony giving rides to children, walking around and around in circles all day, feels ...
________________, ________________, ________________, ________________

3. A small calf separated from his or her mother feels ...
________________, ________________, ________________, ________________

Part 2
Now stretch your imagination further. Imagine that you are any animal of your choice. On the other side of this sheet, write a brief story from the animal’s point of view, based on the topic, “If I had three wishes.” Give your story a title, and draw a picture to go with it on a separate sheet of paper. Then share both your story and your picture with the class.