One of the spiritual leaders in our community had the following story to narrate at an interfaith gathering that I once participated in.

A man was lost in the desert, and found a tree to take some shade in and rest for a while. All of a sudden, in the distance, he saw a huge cloud of smoke, and a blurry image of a creature approaching. He first through it was a terrible monstrous animal of some sort that was going to come and devour him. As it came closer, he realized that it was not an animal, but a human. Although the man felt some relief, it was soon overcome by worry that this human was a member of an enemy clan that was going to kill him. As the man came closer, he saw that it was not a member of the enemy. Again, his relief was cut short when he thought that maybe this was a robber that had come to take his belongings. However, as the man came as close as a few steps, he showed no signs of hostility. As the man asked the stranger who he was and what he wanted, he realized it was just another lost desert traveler who was looking for his way, and the two became companions on their search for home.

What the moral of the story was, was that when people dont have knowledge about the other, it is easy for them to treat the other inhumanely, or, at the very least, with disdain. I have a personal work-related example with a client that I once had when I first started in the field of consulting. Having just joined the project, I viewed my clients no-nonsense and hard-line approach as being brash, arrogant, and stubborn. Yet, it was soon afterwards when I had learned more about the project and its history of lack of project leadership leading to missed deadlines and lost money, I had a new approach towards my client, and even gained a sense of appreciation for his efforts.

Think about how perhaps in your own life, you may have had a friend, significant other, or even a spouse who you didnt really like at first (although you would never ever ever admit that to them now), but, as you got to know them, you gained an appreciation for them. Now, obviously this wont happen with anyone that we dont like, but we shouldnt be hasty on passing judgments on people of a different style, background, or religion than ours before getting to know who the other really is.

We may find that the animal or enemy on the other side ends up truly being a companion in our journey of finding home.