LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: HOW MUCH SACRIFICE IS REALLY NEEDED?

To the editor:

Recently, my grandson, Elijah, found a turtle. He wanted to keep it as a pet. I told him the turtle should be set free, but his Nana told him he could keep the turtle if he kept it in a box in our backyard. I protested by saying the turtle would die of hunger, but Elijah insisted he would make sure the turtle had something to eat.

Elijah loves bugs. He will go to any length to protect them. His favorite bugs are "ball bugs." At least that is what I called them as a child. Elijah calls them rolly-pollies. We gave the turtle tomatoes and other vegetables to eat. However, the turtle was not into vegetarianism. The turtle refused to eat. The only thing my grandson observed that the turtle would eat were ball bugs. For the next several days, Elijah reluctantly would find a few ball bugs and put them in the turtle's box. I could see the pain on Elijah's face.

One end of the turtle's box began to collapse from pulling on it. I warned Elijah that the turtle would get out of the box if it wasn't replaced. Elijah didn't seem alarmed that the turtle might find its freedom. I sense that he almost welcomed the idea. He had come face to face with an all-important question: How many ball bugs do you sacrifice to save a turtle?

In the national news, Ehud Barak, the Israeli prime minister, and Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat are asking the same question.

As we prepare to elect a new leader for our country, let us reflect on the past eight years. What price have we paid in terms of concession and sacrifice? Have we lost values that were once dear to our heart? How many ball bugs do we sacrifice to save a turtle?

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau