"Brown Eyes" is a short, poignant story by Paul Stewart that revolves around a young boy's visit to the zoo and explores themes of captivity, freedom, and empathy.
The story is told from the
perspective of the boy, who visits a zoo with his father. While walking around,
the boy becomes deeply affected by a large brown bear kept in a small, confined
cage. What stands out to the boy is the bear's eyes—sad, deep brown eyes—which
seem to reflect a sense of longing and suffering. These eyes haunt him,
as they appear too human, full of emotion and silent protest.
The boy begins to feel a
strong sense of connection and guilt, recognizing the unfairness of the
bear’s captivity. He imagines what it would be like to be trapped in a
cage, with people staring every day. Despite his father's attempts to cheer him
up and distract him with other animals and treats, the boy remains troubled by
the image of the bear.
By the end of the story,
the boy is changed. The encounter leaves him more thoughtful and aware of the
suffering that can lie behind appearances—especially in creatures who cannot
speak. The story closes on a reflective and emotional note, suggesting that
this moment will stay with the boy and influence how he sees animals—and
perhaps people—in the future.
Themes:
- Empathy and emotional maturity
- Animal rights and ethical treatment
- Loss of innocence
- Silent suffering
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