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One day when I'm walking and I see -- at first I thought maybe he was resting -- but I saw a big dead seal on the beach, which was really sad. However, the thing that I thought was puzzling was there was a couple, a young guy and a girl on a beach towel not 15 feet from this big, dead mammal, and I look up and they're waving at me, like, 'Isn't it a pretty day?' And I'm like, 'There's a big dead seal right there.' They're putting on lotion. It was just bizarre. And, curtain. I just didn't want to be at the beach anymore.

Megan Mullally#12

DeathIndifferenceSocial behaviorTourism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The narrator sees a dead seal on a beach, while a couple nearby acts as if nothing is wrong, creating a bizarre, unsettling scene.
In plain terms
A dead animal and a carefree couple create a strange contrast.
What can you take from it?
Contrast between tragedy and indifference can be jarring.

Where it applies

  • beach outings
  • tourist spots

Putting it to work

  • be aware of surroundings
  • show empathy

Questions to consider

  • Why do we feel uneasy when others ignore tragedy?
  • How can we respond responsibly?

Another view

The anecdote reflects personal discomfort, not a universal truth.

More from Megan Mullally

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