Images and videos of the shoebill stork, a large African bird, which went viral are often met with skepticism.
In short, the video shows a real animal called the Shoebill Stork. The shoebill stork is also known as the whalehead stork.
Many people claimed with varying degrees of disbelief. Viewers who think this bird has a distinctly prehistoric appearance will probably prefer its scientific title: Balaeniceps rex. How on earth is it called the Shoebill? “Monsterface” would be better. Or “Death Pelican.” Or “Literally the Most Frightening Bird On Earth.”
The fact is Shoebills are large birds that can grow to nearly 1.52 meters tall. They primarily live in tropical locations in central Africa, such as Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia. The bird, which is listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, subsists on a diet of eel, lizards, snakes, baby crocodiles and lungfish.
Besides, being gigantic, looks like footwear, and can decapitate crocodiles. It can makes awesome machine-gun noises. Shoebills are silent most of the time but engage in “bill-clattering” around the nest or when greeting another bird. It is loud and scary and the last sound that lots of poor monitor lizards ever hear.
The phrase “took an arrow in the knee” is old Norse slang for getting married?
The origins of many marriage-related rituals are known by very few. One searches in vain to find any references in Norse languages or mythology that links the phrase ‘took an arrow in the knee’ to the concept of marriage, so we can safely rule out this explanation.
The phrase “took an arrow in the knee” is actually of fairly recent vintage, a line popularized by the role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Then, where did the tradition of getting down upon ones knee to propose marriage come from? No definitive historical explanation exists, but as many sources have posited, the practice is likely related to customs involving kneeling as a demonstrative act of both supplication and respect; During the Middle Ages, chivalry was not yet dead and formal courtship was the medieval version of modern-day dating. Kneeling was also the protocol for many ceremonial rituals and rites of passage, including those of the romantic kind. Medieval artwork and literature shows knights genuflecting before their feudal lord as a sign of honor and respect, or kneeling in front of a noblewoman to express their eternal servitude and admiration in a show of “courtly love.” Nevertheless, religion play a role as well. Many faiths, like Christianity, Buddhism and Islam, have their worshippers kneel in prayer to express their devoted service and everlasting respect for their God.
In today’s world, kneeling has connotations of complete submission, giving yourself to the mercy of the other person who has the power to do whatever they desire. So when we propose in this way, we are showing that we truly trust our partner, and that we are completely committed to intertwining our life with theirs. It is also a respectful thing, which is nice, and shows that we are willing to break down our walls and be truly intimate;-As kneeling is placing yourself in a vulnerable position with all power to the person standing.
In short, offering a ring upon bended knee to propose marriage is a symbolic manner of expressing a fervent desire for a positive response, and of demonstrating that your beloved is deserving of your honor, respect, and love — not due to an old arrow injury.
A joke by comedian Tim Vine about a vacuum cleaner has been voted the winner of the Funniest Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe Award 2014. See the full top 10 list above.
Little things matter. Never underestimate even the simplest acts of kindness and love. The author of Dilbert , Scott Adams, says:
Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
Another one of my favorite quotations comes from the highly-celebrated poet, William Wordsworth:
The best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
There are beautiful random acts of kindness that we can do everyday. All it takes is to have some consideration for others, and to look for opportunities to make the day a little happier and brighter for someone else.
I am not sure whether you do recall this lovely little poem by Mrs. J. A. Carney that you would have probably learned as a child. Though these words have the innocence of childhood in them, they are, nevertheless, timeless and very profound.
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the beauteous land.
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.
And the little moments,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages,
Of Eternity.
about a vacuum cleaner has been voted the winner of the Funniest Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe Award 2014. See the full top 10 list above.
, Scott Adams, says:
:
that you would have probably learned as a child. Though these words have the innocence of childhood in them, they are, nevertheless, timeless and very profound.
