The older generation has gone through a changing world and there are many stories that can teach the younger generation about life and morality. One of the most significant times in modern history is the period after the end of World War II. The world was torn apart and nations were in a very devastating state.
One of the stories told by the elders is the hardships that were in Europe. People were in a condition where the infrastructure and regular way of life was destroyed and they had to rebuild the world. A personal recollection of life in one of the villages describes how hard it was to get any proper food. The storage facilities were mostly destroyed and there was no area or machinery to produce food quickly enough to feed all those who were stricken by hunger.
People had to scavenge whatever was left and sometimes it included stealing. There were some areas and families that were able to save food and resources and sometimes, it was obvious that they had more than enough. People who had no food to eat, these were mostly younger teens, would organize groups in order to get some food for their parents and grandparents. At night, they would sneak into houses and barns to steal chickens and grains. At the same time, there was not a lot of crime because people were united by the common problem which was lack of food. Communes became very useful where people would put together their efforts to grow crops or raise livestock. These sorts of conditions touched upon all countries, indifferent of nationality, including France, Germany, Russia, Latvia, Poland, even Britain and many others (Muller 60).
Another story included resourceful groups of youngsters who would find ways to get food. Sometimes these young adults would be armed, as there were a lot of weapons and explosives left over from the war. Various types of guns would be used for hunting but the animals were scarce, as they went to far off wild places where bombs and bullets could not get them. One of the resourceful ways to get food was to use the dynamite to fish.
Teenagers would disarm bombs or grenades and throw them into the water. Once the explosive went off, the fish would float up and people would jump in to get the shocked fish. In the winter, it was especially hard because the water was extremely cold. But the devastation was so great that people risked their health and sometimes lives to get food. It is clear that the times were so grim that people had to resort to any means necessary to feed themselves and their families. The life had to be rebuilt with very little resources and it has had its toll on people (Bessel 221).
The hardships of past life should be an example to the present and future generations. It shows how people can behave atrociously towards each other. Even in the modern world, there are wars and open violent conflict and so, it seems people have not learned from their mistakes. It was very shocking and surprising to hear the stories about war-destroyed Europe and how people had to make do with the little that they had left. Humanity has always been walking hand in hand with war but a long history of devastation and loss of life does not seem to teach people about the most important thing, the preservation and not the destruction of life. The modern days have seen some changes, as there are nations that avoid war or are touched by it remotely, being able to prosper and move forward with development and economic growth.
One such nation is the United Arab Emirates. When the elders are asked about their position on the development in the UAE, they acknowledge that the times have greatly changed and the current life is much influenced by businesses and the matters that are taking place in the Arab world. The world is becoming smaller by the day, as the businesses are discovering new nations to deal with. The elders admit that their views are now changed in relation to how the world of trade can change the face of the planet. UAE has become one of the most important strategic and business-oriented locations that have influence all over the world.
Is very, obvious to the older generation which has got through the difficult times. They reinforce the view that it is better to build a world through peace and mutual relations and the example of this is the prosperity of the United Emirates. People there, are not focused on separating nations and each other, their only goal is to do business and do it with style and respect. This should be the way of the whole world because much more can be accomplished through peaceful relationships where people can gain from unification and cooperation.
The unity of people should target the good qualities of humanity. For the longest time people have been coming together to create a force, a weapon against other people, whereas uniting for understanding and agreement is much more beneficial to all.
Works Cited
Bessel, Richard. Life After Death: Approaches to a Cultural and Social History of Europe. United States: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Print.
Muller, Jan-Werner. Memory and Power in Post-War Europe: Studies in the Presence of the Past. New York, United States: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.