“So, Nana, how was it like in your day? The dark ages?”
asked Harmony, keen to know her grandma’s story. Our professor told us to read
‘War and Peace’ and told us a little about the different wars in the past. She
said that we are living in the dark ages again.
“Oh shush! You make me sound really old. But then I am 90
years old.”
Sitting beside her on the plush sofa she continued, “Well, I
was around your age during the Second World War. At that time I didn’t really
understand what was happening. I just remember my mum telling me that the world
was divided into two and they fought each other to win first place.
‘How silly!’ I had thought. ‘Why fight for first place? All
you have to do is prove yourself better than the other.’
I didn’t realize then that they were fighting to prove
themselves worse than the other. I used to be frightened listening about the
bombings on the radio and hear my parents whispering about how many people
died. You are lucky to be living in this generation when there is no more war.”
Shaking her head in fierce indignation Harmony replied, “But
Nana, don’t you see? Nothing has really changed. It’s not the Second World War
but the world is still divided, and not just in two but so many parts that it’s
hard to keep track of who is fighting whom!”
Harmony went on ranting, “Isn’t it true, Nana? People no
longer need an excuse to fight. In a race to gain the upper hand in finances,
resources, weapons, religion and ideals we seem to have won everything but lost
ourselves! We are literate with no real knowledge, have electricity but live in
darkness, are well-fed but always hungry, rich but constantly begging for more,
are busy running around but choose to be passive when the time comes to act,
constantly talk without really communicating, smile but are not really happy,
want independence but cannot bear to be alone with ourselves, seem peaceful but
are eternally conflicted.”
“Why are we so constantly at war, Nana? Not just the wars
between countries and people but also with ourselves? Can we ever be happy? Can
we ever be peaceful?”
Impressed with Harmony’s awareness and understanding beyond
her years, her grandmother replied, “Yes, I agree life seems to be regressing
instead of progressing. Sometimes it’s hard to hope for peace and happiness.
But we mustn’t underestimate ourselves. And we mustn’t underestimate God. Even when
science and technology get exhausted, He’ll still live. As long as we believe
that He lives in us, there will always be a chance for peace. After all, He
lives through us so it’s our duty to spread His message. It’s up to us to bring
about a change. Peace grows from within us, from Him!”
It was that very moment when Harmony decided to live up to
her name and emanate peace and harmony all around her.
