Feb. 1, 2010 — Mermaids or manatees?

Sometimes things just aren't what they seem. In 1493, as Christopher Columbus explored the Caribbean, he spied what he thought were three disappointingly unattractive mermaids.

What Columbus failed to recognize was instead of lovely half-female, half-fish creatures, he had spotted manatees: aquatic mammals with round faces, soulful eyes and tails like paddles. Averaging 10 feet long and 1,000 pounds, a manatee is hardly your mythical mermaid.

Columbus' preconceptions kept him from recognizing the truth of his experience. With only rumor and legend to guide him, he misinterpreted what he saw with his own eyes.

Fortunately, you and I have more than rumor and legend to guide us. We call it the church.

Just a thought. I'm Sid Batts from First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greensboro, fpcgreensboro.org.