Farmer 10 - Perception Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Farmer 10 - Perception
A rich boy from the town came to meet a farm boy in a village.
The rich boy wanted to know how the poor managed with so little.
After three days of stay in the village, the rich boy returned home.
His father looked at him and said:
"Now tell me son! What did you learn?
"Dad, I just saw that we had only one dog with us but my friend in the village had many dogs. They were freely running around, wagging their tail in a friendly manner, loved by the villagers. The dogs guarded the whole village.
Dad, we have only one pool, but they have a whole creek in front of them
The villagers enjoy themselves bathing and playing in the creek.
Dad, we have imported artificial lanterns in the house, but the villagers after a hard day's work, sit comfortably together, looking at the sky lit with thousand stars.
Dad, we have a portico that extends only up to the garden but they have the whole horizon before them to start a day afresh with hope dancing in their eyes.
Dad, we are the owners of small pieces of land, they own nothing but still have the entire fields before them.
Dad, we have so many servants serving us but they are busy serving others and each other.
Dad, what a pity! We buy our food from the super market but they grow their food and eat fresh vegetables and fruits. We are consuming bottled and tinned food.
Dad, we have guards and walls to protect us but they are protected by friends.
Finally, the boy looking at his father said:
I have learnt in this trip that how rich my farm friend is, with the entire nature around him - so free and happy!
And I realise, how poor we are!
The moral of the story is contentment and a key to happiness in life.
The picture may not match the perception of the poem. But again, it is a matter of perception or choice. It may vary from person to person.
This is a picture of my village in Palakkad, Kerala. When i re-wrote this story, i visualised my village and the perception that i had as a young girl, when i lived in my Grand parent's house.
I have added the detailed personal notes after Bri Edward's comments on my poem today (13-09-2020) . Hope all the queries are answered and the doubts cleared. Thank you Bri.
Hi Geeta, This famous story has been resold by you in quite captivating manner. The case for living with nature, nurturing every element of nature, has been built step by step in such a manner that, one is is tempted to believe that it is the only natural course, obvious choice. I am carried away by this line: “they have the whole horizon before them to start a day afresh with hope dancing in their eyes.” Wonderful!
Nice poem. How the rich boy knew that his farm friend is actually very rich and not him.
Farmer 10 poem on Perception is a, poem for all as to how we have misconceptions about ourselves. The rich boy on his visit to the village realises, that the poor farmers are much more blessed than him. Very well written by the poet Dr. Geeta Radhskrishnan
(cont.) 2 - Do the DOGS have only one " tail" among them? Stanza 5 the sky lit with thousand stars i'd use 'a thousand' or 'thousands of' to MyPoemList bri :)
! – " Dad, what a pity! We buy our food from the super market" i use supermarket here. Thanks for the Poet's Notes; perhaps you know and could/should name the story & author? I like what i've already read and am glad you shared, rightfully, the credit. What structure is in photo? BUT, will the boy join the village? Will " father" follow him. Will the villagers kill both and eat them? (cont.)
Geeta, this goes right to myfavourites. In your verse you explain what really is the difference between money and wealth. A fantastic poem.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/7/2024 6:03:44 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Very well! Poverty and wealth depend on more than money and servants.10!
Kostas, thank you so much for adding value to my humble poem.