One needs an advanced brain,
To be able, in some fashion,
Others' stress to ascertain.
Elephants and chimpanzees,
In response to others' ills,
Attempt their pain to ease,
Showing they compassion feel.
Turns out the lowly voles
That in packs, in prairies dwell,
Their packmates can console,
And compassion show as well.
Though with simple brains endowed,
They detect their neighbors' stress,
Rush to comfort them, show love,
Touch them, lick them, and caress.
Scientists these initiatives
Traced to a section of the brain
And to chemicals distinctive,
This behavior to explain.
So, perhaps we might well learn
The voles' ways to imitate,
Show compassion and concern
For our hapless human mates...