There is no society!

We live very much in an age when it feels like every person for themselves. It is frequently heard, "If you do not look after yourself then nobody else will." I am sure that this is the case not only where I live but where other readers are living also.

I cannot put my finger on how this change in us came about but I suspect where I live this start with a politician who has now become a hero of history. It was she who said in a very famous speech, "There is no such thing as society." 

Yet, I attended a meeting last night where one of the concerns that were raised more than once was that with the ageing population there was a growing number of older people who were suffering from loneliness and isolation. Concern was being raised that something had to be done.

I did wonder if what was being suggested that we look again at what is happening a begin to rebuild something we once called society.

Once there was a small boy named Shankar. He belonged to a poor family.  One day, he was crossing through the forest carrying some some branches of wood he had gathered for the fire. 

As he walked saw an old man who was very hungry.  Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have food for his own.  So he continued on his way.  

Then, he saw a deer that looked very thirsty.  He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water for himself.  So journeyed on his way ahead.

Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have enough branches. Shankar asked his problem and gave some of his branches to him.  In return, he gave him some food and water.  

Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy.   Shankar then happily went on his way home gathering one or two more branches on his way.

Some days later Shankar fell down the hill.  He was in pain and he could not move and there seemed no one was there who might help him.  

But, the old man who he had helped before saw him, he came and pulled him up the hill.  He had many wounds on his legs.  The deer whom Shankar had given water saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought some herbs.  After some time his wounds were covered.

We can be very self-sufficient but there often comes a day when there is something we are unable to do for ourselves and it is good to be surrounded by people who care. Maybe we do all have to take responsibility for ourselves but that must not mean the end of society.

Have a marvellous day.