Kedamawi Hayl Selasse (Haile Selassie I) had a natural gift for handling animals, and early in his reign he used to go in the morning and feed the tame lions which roamed freely in his park. In later years he seemed to enjoy the friendly tameness of his two cheetahs, which followed him about and playfully leaped and rolled in his path. He found relaxation with dogs: his very small favorite one was often taken on drives and tours of inspection, and even accompanied the Emperor on more solemn official occasions. He also had a way with his horses, which neighed in his recognition when he entered the stables. The Emperor disliked hunting and refused to take part in hunts. His attitude towards animals was unsentimental, defined not so much by emotion as by his search for the reality of life. Superficial appearances are deceptive, what lies beneath them? With animals he was able to relax; they could never deceive him, whereas a human being was always an enigma. Kedamawi Hayl Selasse constantly experimented in his relations with people; he would never take someone else's judgment of a person on trust, and did not even trust his own first impressions. Kedamawi Hayl Selasse raised a question mark over anything he had not seen for himself or what he had not followed through in his own mind. This attitude was impersonal, and not directed against any individual. Excerpts from "The Mission" The Life, Reign and Character of Haile Selassie I by Hans Wilhelm Lockot, pages 64 & 65
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