The Wise Owl

Wisdom is born when we dare to see and hear deeper

Photo by Alef Morais on Unsplash

Why it’s clear as a bell

I should have gone to school

I’d be wise as an owl

Instead of stubborn as a mule

And I spent 24 hours repeating this song. Reminds me of the current situation in my country. I think, as an Indonesian today, you must listen for a moment completely to the song by John Prine, “It’s a Big Old Goofy World”.

I don’t understand how owl is so scary for most Indonesians. But one thing is certain, that today’s government is more fearful for me, I’m sure for many people too. Where they can still dance in the midst of the damage of thousands of schools in the land that is said to be their golden island, we call it Swarna Dwipa, one of the islands with the richest natural resources in Indonesia. That really sad thing! Even school matters are not taken care of.

On the other hand, small schools and limited education have not yet resolved their various problems, in the eastern part of this country. Never mind progress, it’s not even worth it yet. Hearing and seeing it, the air I breathe smells like the huge destruction.

It is said that the owl is a representative of the Goddess Athena in Greek mythology. The goddess of wisdom and knowledge in the Western world. Especially the little owl.

That too, I think why the Western world is so advanced, because they uphold wisdom values, at least for their world of education.

Why We Rarely Hear the Whistle of the Owl?

Martin Luther King once said about conscientious stupidity, that stupidity that is done with full awareness and pride. Like an article written by Philosophy Unfiltered on Substack, they believe they are right. No sound can change them, not with an argument, evidence, or rational explanation. No desire to see and hear more.

“There is no wisdom in blindness and deafness to the bottom of the heart.”

We rarely hear the whistle of the owl, it’s not because they are mute, shy, or is it because of that. Behind it all, there is amazing learning. Scientifically, their having ultra-sensitive hearing and eyeshine (excellent night vision). Of course, they are good observers and listeners. That’s why they’re more silence, I think, cause a good listener listens more, and will speak only in their portion. That’s why it’s so appropriate for them (an owl) to be called animals full of wisdom, even though it’s heard philosophical.

Then I suddenly remember the hashtag #IndonesiaGelap (gelap: dark) that is still popping up until now, and try imagine how if every Indonesian government learns from the story of an owl. Seeing the darkness with their own eyes, and of course, with the eyes of their heart too. If they still can’t, then listen and absorb.

Reflecting on the Responsibilities Way of Owls

I have ever read National Geographic, even animals can fulfill their responsibilities well. How the owl parents protect their babies, in a tree cavity or nest built and abandoned by predators. They work together to raise their young. The male delivers food to the female, who tears it up for the little ones. Meanwhile, how can’t the state (specifically the government) itself be responsible for its nation’s children?! I think they should actually learn more from an owl.

Then, how can the owl be criminalized in this country through a story, such as our wise ex-minister of education, a child of the nation who was criminalized through a composed story by those who claim to be the policy makers, in his own country, for every his extraordinary dedication and policies?!

A policy that betrays the meaning of the word of wise itself. Very irresponsible.

“Power needs to sustain ignorance for it to control, and continue to be in power”

In my opinion, this is an effort to kill the sense and form of responsibility for the nation’s childrens future. As opposed to the direction of lofty ideals of this nation and country in “mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa” stated in the Pembukaan UUD 1945: alinea keempat. The foundation for building superior human resources to realize public welfare.

After writing this far, I think, finally I got understand and realized the biggest reason why an owl is feared in this country. Not because the owl itself, but the reality, this country is so afraid of wisdom, that metaphorically, it exists in owls. Start from systemic stupidity that is deliberately built and maintained, until the intelligent people who continue to be criminalized, consider the wise people like threats, like a myth of the owl that they created themselves since ancient times.

References

*Owl of Athena.* Wikipedia.

Philosophy Unfiltered. 2026. *Why STUPID People Are a Greater Threat to Society Than Criminals.* Substack.

*Owl Facts.* National Geographic.