Recently, I went on a visit to my native place.Being a child raised in a city I was predisposed to hate the rural and underdeveloped sleepy little village of mine. But nevertheless, I had a good time there. And by good time, I mean a time of peace and relaxation. City life was actually getting on me. I had a refreshing conversation with a priest of the temple near my house. He is a well educated man and knows what he talks about unlike the idiots we see in our day to day life. We discussed topics ranging from science to orthodoxies to sports, Now I will show you the best part of our conversation.
Me- The education system is flawed.
Him- *laughs* Truly, carrying a bag full of books almost twice as heavy as you doesn't seem quite appealing!
Me- I know right!
Him- This system of education is primitive. This the way the westerners learn, from an endless array of books filled with proofs,theorems and postulates.... where is the value in that?
Me- Hmmm... You're right... And what exactly did you mean by "values"?
Him- I just said that the education system of today is primitive even if they use technology to improve their standards. The children of today are educated idiots who are lacking in something like life values.
Me- Life values???
Him- Yes, life values... In ancient India your great grandfathers learned everything they needed from the nature. They could predict rain by just glancing the sky, know if their cow was ill by just looking at her and lived in peace and harmony with nature. But needs of the society have changed since then, you're not going to be a farmer like your ancestors. Now all you have to learn are a set of moral values from nature.
Me- What kind of moral values?
Him- Let me explain. The earth was considered to be made of five components air, water, fire, earth and the sky. everything in the earth was also considered to be made of these five elements........ even you and I. Now you can learn many things from the "Panchabhootas".
Fire-Fire is the purest. Fire burns everything unholy and yet it remains pure. Be it air, water or earth, all these can be polluted, except fire. Your spirit and character should be like fire, no matter in what company you live, be sure to have your own standard and character.
Air- Learn to be humble like the air. The air around us never strives for our attention. We realize the value of air only when we are in the need of it. Air is essential for the survival of every single creature on the earth. Be like air. Be a part of everybody's life, be there when they need you, don't strive for their attention and don't get upset if they exclude you. They need you.
Water- The greatest power of water is it's power to adapt. If you pour water from a cup to a jug, It just changes it's shape to adjust to it's new surroundings. Be like Water. Learn to adapt to different ways of living, you can't say when life gives you new hurdles, learn to adapt to them.
Earth- The greatest quality of earth is it's solidity. It supports all of us and yet it doesn't break apart under the stress. It remains solid all throughout. Be like earth, be solid so that any one needing support can rely on you, Don't crack up under the pressure.
Sky- The greatest quality of the sky is it's vastness.Be like the sky. Allow your thoughts to be vast. Don't allow it to be clouded by feelings of doubt or uncertainty.
Like this from every creature on the earth we can learn important moral values that can influence our lives to a huge extent and help us become better people. Nature is the best teacher out there. This wisdom is dying out, Rohan and it is the responsibility of young people like you to save our mother nature.
Me- I will, uncle. (I was speechless, actually).
A new sense of responsibility took over me. And I decided that I would do whatever it takes to preserve my environment.
These were words to live by.
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Hello Launchora! I'm Rohan and this is my first story! Hope you guys like it!