Wumpini

Dear Socrates, in our last conversation thee said we would be talking about the WISDOM and RISE in adversity today. It seems an interesting subject because adversity is a natural part of the human existence.  I have been thinking about the subject and thought of suggesting that we talk about the rise and wisdom in an adversity that has divided my people for so many years, but I hesitate to bring this up because I have never heard anyone talk of this subject without raising controversy. Can there be any wisdom or an opportunity for a rise from such an adversity?

Socrates

My son, thou bring a subject worthy of deliberation. Sit down and let’s talk. I remember we discussed this a little in our numerous conversations my son. What details and background are thou willing to share with old Socrates?

Wumpini

I have heard stories about when this division started but what I shall tell thee is what I have witnessed. My people are hardworking, intelligent, honest, industrious and courageous. Because of the above traits, we have been the envy of many tribes for generations. Stories are told about how the division started but my generation never grew up to know about it until recently. I have already told thee about that and would not want to repeat it here. In the decades leading up to the recent incident, my people were growing in influence and occupying very high positions in many national and international institutions.

The successful working class even had clubs that met regularly and promoted the growth of the tribe through many projects. They sponsored needy but brilliant students from all over the country, they donated support items to communities and built schools. They even brought elementary students from villages to the cities to open up their worldviews and make them see the world of limitless possibilities.  This was beautiful. So when thee mentioned the subject, all that filled my heart was how can we get these beautiful days back? Where is the wisdom and where is the opportunity to rise from this, old Socrates?

Socrates 

My son, thou talk of a tribe with limitless possibilities. I shall tell thee the wisdom first. There is nothing too great for a people to do as long as they stay united with a common purpose. I can tell thee that with the unity that thee described of thy people in the past, they could rule the whole world if they wished. I shall give thee a modern example. My son, I am very old but I have never lost interest in the affairs of the world.  Do thee know that the whole Jewish population is less than 1% of the entire world’s people?

Wumpini

I wouldn’t dispute that from thee even though I don’t have the figures.

Socrates

Thou speak words of respect and wisdom. Do thee know any tribe or race in the world that is as powerful as the Jews?

Wumpini

I can’t think of any.

Socrates 

Thou speak the truth. Did thee read about the Jewish Holocaust in school?

Wumpini 

Yes. I can still remember the horrific pictures painted in my mind reading about the plight of an entire race subjected to the dictates of one of the beasts the world has ever seen.

Socrates 

Thou remember very well, my son. Therefore there lies thy wisdom, my son. I want thee to know from today that nothing is beyond the reach of a people that stand united with a purpose. Numbers does not matter when unity of purpose is the core trait of a people. Thy people did have it and they will get back to it soon. No condition lasts forever. Have faith my son.

Wumpini

Socrates, thy words remind me of a part of the details that escaped my memory. One of the divided groups of my people has remained relatively strong and powerful despite their small numbers. They have remained united with a common purpose. They identify and support the development of their youth. Most of the rising youth in places of influence among my people come from this particular group. In fact, they embody these cherished traits of my old people I grew up to see.

Socrates

My son, thou have found the rising opportunity in the second part of thy story. In fact, thee have found two opportunities

Wumpini

What are they?

Socrates

Youth of today have lost the greatest human skill of telling the wisdom in a tale and seeing the opportunities in adversity. But I will tell thee with the hope that when thee comes across similar circumstances thee will be able to tell the wisdom and see the opportunity.

Thy first opportunity is that the important values or traits of thy people are intact and these are helping the development of a section of the youth. Thy people are still growing just that it’s only a section at this time.

Before I tell thee the second opportunity, tell me what is the state of the youth in the larger group?

Wumpini 

Old Socrates and his questions. The truth is that the youth are averagely fine. Just that in a competitive world, getting a supporting hand means a lot.  Therefore only a few get to rise as quickly as the other group. Also, a few that rise very quickly riding on the back of the division are those in politics and it saddens my heart that these group of people seem the least interested in seeing the division fade away. Politics have served to perpetuate the division. This is part of my fears, Old Socrates.  

Socrates 

Son, thee have found the second opportunity. That is, if the second group finds the wisdom to go back and pick these cherished values practiced of old, thy people would be back on the same root again. Both groups will rise in adversity and when the opportunity for unity comes, which shall come, the strength and opportunities of thy people in unity, will be limitless. The power of unity of purpose and youth support is that, when youths are provided support based on underlying value or vision, they are obliged to pass on the support to generations till eternity. When youths struggle to grow without support, their inclinations to support others are limited and depend on individual values. Such is not good for collective growth.

This is the wisdom and rise in adversity.

Wumpini 

Old Socrates, thy wisdom is timeless and thee speak of HOPE so pleasing to my ears. I shall forever remain grateful to thy wisdom. Thee mentioned an important subject so dear to my heart, Youth growth. I shall propose this for our next meeting. Thanks to thee.

End

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Hardi. S. Wumpini

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