Meditative Story The beetle and the whale, by Tom Mustill
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Dec 2, 2025 Tom Mustill, a nature filmmaker and writer known for highlighting wildlife conservation, shares an astonishing tale of a near-death encounter with a humpback whale while kayaking. This moment profoundly shifts his perspective, reminding him of the wonder in nature beyond the lens. He reflects on childhood lessons of empathy and responsibility, the pursuit of capturing wildlife, and the importance of personal storytelling. Ultimately, he reveals how parenthood reignites his curiosity and encourages a deeper connection with the natural world.
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Childhood Lesson That Shaped Responsibility
- Tom Mustill describes a childhood moment when his father taught him responsibility by stopping him from killing beetles.
- That choice reshaped his sense of how to treat other living things and sparked lifelong curiosity.
Missed Shot, Shifted Perspective
- Tom recounts missing a historic filmed kangaroo birth because the camera failed.
- He felt devastated and realised he valued capturing drama more than witnessing quiet wonder.
Spectacle Masks Everyday Wonder
- Tom realises nature films often prioritise spectacle over everyday intimacy.
- He notes this skew makes animals seem less relatable and misses what first drew him to nature.