Hungry Enough

A porch conversation about empty bowls and full hearts

Bob:

Ralph, my dog sitter told me something the other day that I haven’t been able to shake.

Ralph:

Your dogs are already spoiled rotten, Bob. What more could she possibly have to tell you?

Bob:

Fair point. But she said if you want to switch what they eat, just put the new food down and walk away. They’ll refuse it at first. Turn their noses up. But when they get hungry enough, they’ll come back. And eventually — they’ll love it.

Ralph:

Well shoot, that’s true of my grandkids too. My wife Dot tried to get them to eat collards for years. Now they ask for ‘em.

Bob:

Right! But here’s where my brain went sideways. That same principle — that hunger will make you accept almost anything eventually — explains something that’s been bothering me for a long time.

Ralph:

Uh oh. I feel a Bob thought coming on.

Bob:

How does a perfectly decent person end up following someone who doesn’t have their interests at heart? How do they keep coming back no matter what?

Ralph:

Because they’re hungry.

Bob:

...Did you just steal my whole point?

Ralph:

Bob, I grew up in the country. We’ve known this forever. A hungry dog will follow anybody home.

Bob:

Okay but here’s the dark part. The ones who figure this out — the power-hungry ones — they don’t actually want to feed anybody.

Ralph:

Because a fed dog don’t hunt.

Bob:

Exactly! A satisfied person starts thinking for themselves. Asking questions. So you keep the bowl just empty enough. Just enough hope to keep them coming back. And if that’s not working?

Ralph:

You get yourself an enemy.

Bob:

You introduce fear. Now they’re not just hungry — they’re hungry and scared. And that combination will make good people do things you’d never expect.

Ralph:

Every revival preacher and every snake oil salesman I ever knew worked that same formula. Hellfire and a cure. Been going on since the beginning of time.

Bob:

So before we sit here shaking our heads asking what is wrong with these people —

Ralph:

Maybe ask how long they been hungry.

Bob: And who showed up with food.

Ralph:

You know Bob, most folks ain’t looking for much. They just want somebody to act like they matter.

Bob:

That’s the whole thing right there, Ralph.

Ralph:

Always is. Now are you gonna finish those boiled peanuts or not?

Bob:

See, that’s why people follow you.