Borders

Last week, I got a fantastic opportunity to visit the National Defense Academy for the Passing Out Parade of the cadets. It was definitely, a moment of great pride and honor for me. It also made me realize one more time – my freedom and the very fact, that I am able to live my life the way I want, is possible only because of the tremendous hard work and sacrifices of the soldiers.

With me, was my seven-year old daughter, who was quite thrilled to be able to see real soldiers who fight the “bad guys”! She was impressed, but also a little curious and puzzled, perhaps. On the way back home, I asked her if she liked the parade. What followed was a very interesting discussion –

Daughter - So mommy, where are these bad guys, that the soldiers fight?

Me - They can be anywhere, but mostly they are on the border, between our country and the neighboring countries.

Daughter - What is a border, mommy?

Me - It’s the line where our country ends and the other one starts.

Daughter - Who made this line? Who decided, that this is where our country ends?

Me - Well….uhh…the people who formed our country.

Daughter - So, is it an actual line marked in the ground?

Me - No, it’s an imaginary one, but sometimes there is a fence to keep out the bad guys.

Daughter - Okay, so if I go to space and look at the earth, I will not be able to see different countries. I will see the whole world as one….is that right mommy?

Me - Yes, absolutely.

Daughter - I wonder why borders were made in the first place…if there was only one big country, there would be no bad guys! Right, mommy?

Me - …….

I had no more answers, just one question….

The world seems so simple and beautiful from the innocent eyes of a child. Why then, are we so hell-bent on making it, into a convoluted and intolerant pandemonium?