One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

http://www.victorwooten.c...people.htm
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

From the site of the amazing bass player Victor Wooten.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

thanks tA

I like that. Life really is determined how a person views it. There are people who have lots but really nothing at all.

heybaby is right, wealth does not equal happiness.

I love that!





One of the most moving short stories I've read in years is called The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield.
Unlike the story here though, The Garden Party avoids a romanticized view of the lower class lifestyle and rather is much more bleak. Where this story teaches us not that being poor is better, but rather it's how you view the things you have and how being grateful for what you have far outweighs earning empty trinkets to keep you happy (ie, it's not what you have, but what how you live), Mansfield's story shows how social classes and being born to privilege distort's ones view of being able to see the struggles of the common man for what it is.

The dichotomy between the way the two children (both born to privilege, but one empathizing with the underclass more) could not be more stark, with it's chilling final line in the story.

Here's the story: http://www.eastoftheweb.c...Part.shtml

It's not very long, and I think everybody should read it. It's only reinforces my liberal left-leaning views that as a society, we're all in this together.




Great thread Neal.




[Edited 2/26/08 16:09pm]

nice

That was awsome

sounds like they visited rich country people. it's not like they went to the hood or anything.


it is a nice story about perspective, though.

I am rich with love.

JasmineFire said:

I was thinking the same thing. But yes, it's a story, not a documentary on how it's actually better to be poor.

NDRU said:

it would be pretty f'ed up if it was really about that, though.

actually, it would make a pretty good Chapelle show skit.

It is remarkable what just a little turn of perspective can bring into our lives. Thank you for posting ~ it comes at a crucial time for me when everything I thought I knew has been turned upside down.

Thanks for sharing TA.

You're welcome to all those that got something from the message.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Imago said:

I'll definitely read the story tomorrow.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

JasmineFire said:

"This message brought to you from the people at The White House."

theAudience said:

That reminds me....I'm getting a flat screen along with the rest of the sheep!!!

GOD BLESS AMERIKKKA!! Home of the CONSUMER!!

DexMSR said:

his son forgot about smelling like febreze and cooking grease part of being poor

horatio said:

and dont forget smelling like a three pack a day Marlboro habit...can't afford groceries but can afford smokes...

roodboi said:

oh yay, that too

horatio said:

It's Beer for me!!!

Beautiful. It really is a choice how people view things. I choose the positive view.

Thanks, tA....sometimes one must put things into proper perspective...

JasmineFire said:

Well, compare the PJ's in the average American city to being poor in Mexico or China or Haiti.

Well...let me be the first to complain.

It's a very nice story, but cloyingly sweet without an ounce of reality. I know the point isn't realism, but can you tell me exactly whose child raised in privilege is going to respond like that?

meow85 said:

It's just perspective, not meant to be real. But honestly I think kids would react that way, even though they wouldn't use those words. Kids don't know rich & poor as much as they see what other people have & think it's cool.

NDRU said:

Kids are just like any other age group. They know what they've been told is real. What person, having grown accustomed to an army of servants, is going to say, "Hey, groovy! Those poor kids get to wait on other people! Jealous!"

NDRU said:

I know it's supposed to show perspective, I'm just no fan of these schmaltzy little stories. Ultimately, they're nothing but an effort to paint all rich people as unhappy and spiritually poor, which is just as silly as saying all financially poor people are lazy and unmotivated.

meow85 said:

yeah that one line didn't ring true coming from a kid (more of a spiritual thing about serving others like Mother Theresa or something)

But i do think a rich kid from the city could visit a poor kid in the country and think how cool it is to have all the animals, space, old truck & tractor, etc.