The Golden Rule

    By Noémie

    The Golden Rule cover image

    28 Jun, 2023

    In the town of Pleasantville, there lived a wise old man named Mr. Andrews. Known for his wisdom and kindness, he was greatly respected and loved by all. He had a gentle yet powerful way of instilling values in the town's children.

    One day, Mr. Andrews noticed that some of the children were disrespecting the elders in the town. These kids were not considering the wisdom and knowledge the older people had to offer and talked to them in an impolite and condescending manner.

    Mr. Andrews was deeply troubled by what he observed. He felt it was his responsibility to teach the children the value of respect, especially towards the elderly. And so, he hatched a plan.

    The next day, Mr. Andrews gathered all the children in the town square. He showed them a beautiful, old teapot. It had a comforting, rich patina that only comes with age.

    "Do you know why this teapot is so beautiful?" Mr. Andrews asked the children. They shrugged their shoulders, not understanding what the old teapot had to do with anything.

    "It's beautiful because it is old," Mr. Andrews explained. "Its beauty lies in its age, in the wisdom it holds. Just like our elders, who are beautiful and valuable due to their wisdom and experience."

    Many children looked puzzled. They didn’t understand how an old, worn-out teapot could be considered beautiful. Seeing their confusion, Mr. Andrews decided to tell them a story.

    "Once upon a time," he began, "there was a stunningly beautiful young teapot." The children listened intently, their eyes wide with curiosity.

    The beautiful young teapot was proud of her shiny exterior and fresh colours. She loved to be the center of attention and was admired by all.

    As time passed, the teapot began to age. Her colours faded, and her surface wasn't as shiny anymore. She felt sad and thought she was no longer beautiful.

    Then one day, a wise old teapot told her, "Your beauty has not faded, it has only matured, just like a good tea. You have a rich history and story that newer teapots do not."

    The young teapot realized that with age came wisdom and a rich story of her own, making her more beautiful in her unique way.

    When Mr. Andrews finished the story, he looked at the children and said, "Just like the teapot, our elders may have wrinkles and may move slower, but that makes them more precious and beautiful."

    "They have experienced life, they have stories to tell, wisdom to share. To disrespect them is to disrespect the valuable lessons they can teach us," he added.

    The children were silent. They looked at each other and then at the teapot, finally understanding the lesson Mr. Andrews was imparting.

    One by one, they all promised to respect elders and recognize the wisdom they bring. Mr. Andrews smiled, satisfied that his lesson was well received.

    From that day forward, the children of Pleasantville treated their elders with the respect they deserved. They listened to their stories, learned from their wisdom, and appreciated their value.

    Mr. Andrews' simple yet powerful teaching had brought about a significant change in the children’s attitude. The town was once again a respectful and harmonious place to live.

    And every time the children saw an old teapot, they were reminded of the value of respect and the beauty of age, wisdom, and experience.

    Mr. Andrews, with his wise words and selfless act of imparting knowledge, left an indelible mark on the children. He had taught them a priceless lesson that they would carry forward into their adulthood.

    This story of Mr. Andrews is a reminder to all of us of the importance of instilling respect in the young generation. Every individual, irrespective of their age, carries a unique value, and it is our responsibility to respect and cherish that.

    The value of respect, while seemingly simple, is a significant foundation towards building a harmonious society where everyone feels valued and appreciated. The children of Pleasantville learned this lesson in a memorable way.

    Mr. Andrews' story stays relevant even today, resonating with us in these modern times. Respect does not cost anything, but the lack of it can make life costly.

    Let us remember to guide our children in showing respect and kindness to everyone they meet, particularly the ones who've tread the path before us and have much to share from their journeys.

    The children of Pleasantville remind us of the beauty in embracing the wisdom of age, the stories of times past, and the grace that comes with respecting those who are wiser and older. That truly is the beauty of respect.