What a world of difference between the town and
the country! In the town one is surrounded by man-made things. But it! The
country the environments are different. Out there, one feels that- one is in
the very bosom of Nature. Turn where he will, he will be faced with the living
presence of God. For, what are the various objects in Nature if not the
manifestations of the Divine Being?
The country’, with its fields and meadows, its
lakes and streams. its hills and woods, presents a scene far more beautiful
than anything that a town can offer.
Where can the town get such serene beauty, such
magnificence and grandeur as is presented by the innumerable flowers of varying
hues blooming in the meadows, by the mountains raising their lofty height far
into the skies, or by the fields of green corn waving their heads in the breeze
and looking like a vast a sea of emerald!
Peace and tranquility region supreme in the
country. The noise and bustle that racks the nerves of the town-dweller, from
early dawn to late into the night, is conspicuous by its absence. What a
blessing! The stifling and oppressive atmosphere of the town, the feeling of
boredom and gloominess that overtakes one residing in a town in spite of its
life and activity are things practically unknown in the country’. The country’
is all bright and cheerful.
Here there are piles of bricks and stones stacked
side by side in an unending line to choke the atmosphere, no mills and
factories to taint the pure breeze. A person can enjoy the pure open air to his
heart’s content. He can sit for hours on end by the side of some babbling brook
and listen to its soft murmur as it flower past, its waves lapping the banks.
He can watch the sun setting in all his glory behind
some high hill or in the bosom of a lake. He can hear the chattering of birds
as the return to their nests with the falling darkness. There is no one here to
disturb his placid enjoyment of such sights and scenes. Then as he contemplates
all these beauties he feels himself transported to some fairyland. Do towns and
cities afford such charming prospects?
The country provides unlimited scope for innocent
pleasures and enjoyments. Apart from the passive gratification of the senses of
sight and sound described, above, everyone can engage himself in active
pursuits which are healthy and delightful. Rising from bed early in the
morning, a long tram through fields and meadows, along rivers and brooks,
breathing the pure air and smelling the fresh blown flowers, is indeed
delightful. Then perhaps a dip in the river and return home full of fresh and
renewed vigor: what can be more pleasant! Fishing fruit and flower-gathering,
picnics and similar things may be other attractive items in one’s programd in
the country.
The social life in the country, though it has some
drawbacks, is nevertheless much better than that of towns and cities. In a town
or city one does not know one’s neighbors. Lie is perfectly unconcerned with
his neighbor’s weal or woe. It is unusual to find that while the pall of death
hangs over one house, festivities and rejoicings are going on in an adjacent
house.
Not so in the country. Here the people dwelling in
particular locality had known one another fully well. Each family is familiar
with the history of all other families in the dwellers. They lead a sort of
corporate life, helping one another in times of trouble and difficulties,
sympathizing with a neighbor’s misfortune or rejoicing in his prosperity.