Group living was a question of survival for John’s remote ancestors who, far from technology, had to pool their worth to protect themselves from the many dangers of jungle lifestyle. Through time their descendants developed language, which facilitated communication and understanding within the group.

On chilly evenings, around a fire, they talked about each other’s day, planned for the coming day, according to former experiences. They invented stories and myths to explain life’s mysteries.

Apart from suiting communication, conversation became song to the soul. Language allowed them to share ideas and travel through time. Imagination and communication contributed for better organization. Gradually John’s ancestors, rather than survive, thanks to language, started to live. Out of communities, they made societies, cities, countries…

Then, with science and technology, life became easier for John’s grandfather. Machines worked for him, he only needed to switch his radio to connect to the world and he travelled around in a bus. Had he been wealthier, he could have flown to other places in an aircraft! Yet, he had less time for his family and friends. Though his work was done by machines, he had to control them for hours.

Fortunately he enjoyed talking to his colleagues on the bus as well as with his wife and children around the dinner table. Prayer time was vital for the family, candle and holy book had replaced his ancestors’ bonfire but his family stayed together, there was peace and order.

John lives an even easier life than his grandfather. The world is at the touch of his mouse and personal computer, yet he claims he has no time to mail his brother who lives overseas. He works like crazy and prides himself to be a self- made man who made his dream come true without other people’s help. His favorite birthday song is My way!

He hardly has time to talk to his wife and children and they all seem to get their share from this lifestyle. His large dining room is only a showcase for his success, most of the time they would eat at different times. They all have activities which suit their own bend and only talk when it comes to share, acknowledge and meet with requests about same.

John and his neighbour work in the same building and have the same schedule. They are both self-made and polite men. After bidding good morning to each other, they talk no further, having both set the distance they deem necessary for peaceful living in proximity. Then, in their own cars, they both drive their way to work blaming the nerve-breaking traffic and the rising price of fuel and maintenance.

John is preparing his children to be self-made men. If they do not fall to the grip of sects, which take advantage of their hidden thirst for the timeless heritage of group living and spirituality, they will surely be successful persons who will only busy themselves for their families.

In any case, John might expect to end his life in a old age home with personal TV and a phone that might never ring when his health is frail and his children gone. He then will realize that he got it all wrong.

Beforehand, he fortunately realises that none of us can be as strong as all of us. He could not let his ancestors’ legacy be wiped by individualistic fallacy.

John now caters time for conversation and recreation. His bed is singing and his kids more caring. He practises car pooling and invites his neighbour for dinner. He is recovering from what he has been losing by self-destroying natural living.

In our hectic world, where many do not even have time to think, there are human beings made of soul and feelings, will all sad stories have such happy endings? Never too late to choose…

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>