At work, someone sent me a PowerPoint slideshow which compares the life of poor starving Africans with that of more fortunate societies like ours, such as how we might complain when we receive a pair of Addidas when what we really wanted was a pair of Nikes and in the meantime, the poor in Africa are using flattened PET bottles as sandals. It ends with the message to complain less and give more. I played the slideshow for the girls this morning and they were shocked at the images (maybe a bit too much for them) but they understood. Just this morning, Pumpkin was complaining because I had said we would have marshmallows in the afternoon but she had wanted them in the morning, but after watching the slideshow, she is thankful just to have marshmallows and has stopped her whining.
Later on, Pumpkin asked me "How can poor people be in Singapore?"
Me: "Why not?"
Pumpkin: "Poor people must be in poor country."
Me: "What makes you think there are no poor people in Singapore?"
Pumpkin: "Because I only saw one poor people in Singapore."
She was referring to a man we drove pass last Sunday on our way to Taekwondo class. He was walking along the roadside carrying a toddler and pushing a stroller in which sat 2 other young children. All four of them looked like they had not had a bath in weeks, their faces and clothes all grey with dirt. It was really sad. I was so shocked I didn't have the presence of mind to stop and give them some money.
Me: "What do you want to do next time we see the poor man?"
Pumpkin: "I want to help him, give him things to make him happy, like my old slippers."
I think we learnt an important lesson today.
2 comments:
It's good to arouse the feeling of compassion in young children. The world is full of people in need of help and not just financially but in other matters, too.
The Buddha preached compassion for all living creatures, not just for mankind. He believed, as I do, that if we, especially political leaders in all countries,are compassionate enough for our fellow beings, the world will be a peaceful and wonderful place to live in. It's true also that greater happiness is derived from giving than receiving.
Just about a month ago, an ordinary man with a below average monthly income in Thailand hit the lottery jackpot of 25 million bahts (>S$1 million). Today, he said on a TV interview that he is left with only >10,000 bahts in his pocket and no bank account. And more importantly he said he was happy. Shocked? No, he didn't squader away his money. He donated all his money to the poor and needy families and charitable organisations. He looked happy and I believe that he is. Even before he hit the lottery jackpot, he was already helping out in a local orphanage in his district. He practises the Buddha's teaching of compassion.
Yes i think compassion is a very important value to impart to the girls, particularly since they lead quite a privileged life and take a lot of things for granted.
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