Once there was a rich man who had an only son named Ali. They lived in a big house in the city. They had everything in their house, all the luxuries one could imagine.

Ali studied in one of the famous schools of the city. One day, during the recess, one of his friends who had recently visited his relatives in a village was telling everyone about the rustic life and the beauty he saw there.

Ali had never heard or seen a village before so he listened to his friend earnestly. His interest grew and he wanted to know more about village life. When he came back home, he asked his father about villages. But his father’s reply both shocked and saddened him.

“A village is a small, dirty place where villagers, who are illiterate people, live. There are no facilities, the water is dirty, the food is dirty. Everything is just not right there!” his father talked with contempt about it.

Ali said, “But my friend told me that villages are close to nature, everything is pure there. There is no pollution, there is no dishonesty and plus there are beautiful fields from where we get vegetables and fruits. Dad, could you please take me to a village? I want to see it.”

His father firmly refused at first. However, Ali kept insisting so his father finally had to give in to Ali’s demand and decided to take his son to a village for a day trip.

When the day arrived, Ali was ready with his camera and all the necessary stuff he thought he would need. He was excited to see what a village really was like as two different versions of the place had been given to him. Ali’s father had decided to meet someone who was once his friend and who still lived in a village. That way they would have someone to meet there and also show them around. It took them a couple of hours to reach there.

When the beautiful green fields, with huts made of clay bricks started to emerge in the view. Ali exclaimed in excitement, “Dad, what a picturesque view! It looks like something had just come out from the imagination.”

His dad said, “These houses are all mud, dirty stuff you know!” Ali looked at his father in disagreement.

The car stopped at a small house made of clay. One man with a pleasant smile on his face was already standing at its door. He hugged Ali’s dad tightly and welcomed them heartily. Ali realised that whoever came to see them hugged them warmly and respectfully, and after a while, his father’s friend took them around to show his small village.

There they met other villagers and the farmers too. All welcomed them with open arms. Ali noticed the love and affection that was showered on them. They went to vegetable fields, orchards and saw cattle grazing freely. Ali was jumping and running around in excitement as he wanted to absorb the beauty of nature as much as he could.

He took pictures and made video recordings of the surroundings, the farmers, cattle and fields. That was the most memorable day of Ali’s life; his father had never seen his son this happy before.

In evening, when they returned their home. his father asked Ali about his views.

Ali answered, “Dad, today I learnt that life can be real simple if we want it so. We are always complaining about things we don’t have. However, a village, the place you call dirty, is the most natural habitat that is without pollution. Everything there is natural; while we have everything artificial and impure. The vegetables we eat or throw away without second thought are grown by those farmers after a lot of hard work. We always crave for more, but they had a simple life and I saw many houses without even a TV, but they were happily living without any complain.

“And dad, the one most important thing I learnt today was that they were not illiterate as you said. They may have not learnt manners through books but they had all the manners that are required to give respect and love to everyone, which we have long forgotten. They hugged and welcomed us in a way that made me feel as if we were lords of some kind. They presented to us all that they had without a frown.

“I think they were richer and happier than most of us here in the cities because we are always craving for the newest gadgets, always complaining about food and things we don’t have. Above all, we are always dissatisfied!

“Now I want to know your views dad!”

Ali’s dad smiled and said; “You know, today I learnt many things from you my son. Thanks for giving me chance to change my views towards life!”

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 6th, 2015