A Matter of TRUST

The Bond That Binds Us Together

(Previous page) When a trapeze artist performs somersaults at dizzying heights, the audience on the ground holds its breath. Like the acrobat in the air, they can only trust that their partner will catch them. The hard work behind making these death-defying feats look so effortless is staggering. Every day, trapeze artists train for hours to maintain flexibility, balance and strength.

There must be trust between the members of what are known as ‘rope teams’ during an ascent. When climbing a summit or crossing a glacier, three or more people are usually linked together by a rope. This means they can help save a fellow climber from falling should they get into difficulties. On easier tours, a trained mountain guide can also put a less-experienced climber on a short safety line to prevent a stumble from turning into a fall.

Every step across this bridge demands a huge effort of will. The locals, however, trust that the wickerwork of thin branches will hold their weight. The bridge over the Tsarap river in the Indian Himalaya is one of the few remaining wooden bridges in India. It connects the village of Marling to the outside world.

Polar bears are one of the most dangerous animals in the world. A highly unusual interspecies trust developed between Knut, a cub abandoned by his mother, and Berlin zookeeper Thomas Dörflein, who bottle-fed and raised the polar bear to adulthood.

This tiny fellow absolutely adores being thrown into the air and caught again by his dad. Incidentally, the game also builds up the child’s basic trust, which develops during the first months of life. Researchers have discovered that babies and infants who have experienced a loving bond with their parents learn to trust others more easily.

The faithful, who flock to St Peter’s Square in the Vatican week after week seeking the blessing of Pope Francis at the General Audience, place their trust in a higher power. The head of the Catholic Church generally enjoys the personal touch of walking amongst the crowds. Only the recent curfews of the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to replace the coveted live audience event with video addresses.

Emperor penguin chicks trust their parents unconditionally. They must, because the young animals would not survive temperatures in Antarctica as low as -40°C without the warming plumage of their parents. Before they even hatch, the father places the egg on his feet to warm it in a breeding pouch under his dense feathers for around 65-75 consecutive days. Once hatched, the little penguin also spends the first days of his life there before exploring the world under his father’s watchful eyes.