“One swallow doesn't make a summer”

A few days ago, I had to replace the crystal of my phone. I decided to walk to the technician I have in the “down town” of my city.

Once in the place, I talked to the man and explained what I needed to do, so he could understand better the service I was looking for.

He started to work right away and I decided to wait until he finishes, because it was raining outside, really hard, and I wanted to stay warm and dry.

One swallow doesn't make a summer

Some moments later after, in the middle of the spare time, his son went out from the next door. A small child, probably 8 years old and with a strong personality.

He was fighting verbally with his father and mother. In a surprised, and watching the whole dark scenario, the conversation was going to become part of discussion of my life.

The way he was talking (the child), his moves and the way he wanted to reflect his points of view totally attracted my attention and, in certain point, I felt embarrassed for the parents’ frustrations. Yelling, he was traying to excuse his behavior, saying that they needed to remember he was not from town. He was from the capital city, and that is why he was acting different to re rest of the family.

Wow! When he said that, I felt that I needed to get into de conversation right away, because I am originally born and raced in the capital city, bit I never acted, spoke, moved, talked or thought like that. So, I used the same loudness he was using and said: Hey, Boy! What is your name? He replied: I am Oscar (in dry, cold tone).

Ok, Oscar. Let me ask you something: From where you said are you from? Because I heard that you are from the capital city (I said).

At that point, his father tried to apologize for the spectacle they were having, and the behavior of their son. I said: You don´t have to apologize.

He (the father), was really mad, since he did not know why his son assumed that people from the capital city use to act like that.

I answered that wasn´t their fault and I continued trying to talked to the child.

Listen: Why do you think that people from the big city is like you say? (I said).

Oscar responded saying that he learned all that in the tv, watching the news.

Wow! A quick answer. Bit, how come? (I asked again?)

He said that every time that journalists showing the capital city in the tv, they interview the people and see that all those during the interviews talk, dress, move, and act like that.

I also can see that the capital city is ugly, dirty, with no trees or grass, really dangerous and stressful, very cold, and to top of it, people is always angry and sad. 

I stayed quiet for a moment, and then replied: I can´t believe that you have that perception of the people living there… that is pretty sad.

I continued saying: Let me tell you: People from there is totally different of your description! Actually, they are totally different and I can assure that, 95% of the population is really happy, handsome, well dressed, optimistic, sincere, honest and hard worker.

I said to Oscar: Don´t you think is probable that journalists are not showing the real side of the capital city?

I said: Probably they are showing the outside of it, the zones that, while growing, have been absorbed, and now are considered part of the city; but honestly, that is not the only side of the capital city, or the real one.

When you walk by, that chaos, the high volume of people, the intense traffic, and all the problems a big city can have, it is organized, clean, full of commerce, hardworking people, malls, transportation, and most important, you find good people, well spoken, with good manners and lots of stories to share.

The big city offers so many opportunities and a lot of the people has been attracted to it providing accommodation, job opportunities, entertainment, and until certain points, financial stability. but, and in return they don´t seek to contribute development; only limit themself to the state giving them everything.

Ok, that sounds beautiful, said Oscar the child; but why the journalists are showing a different side in the tv?

Because it's all about money and ratings. Those are the stories they sell; and since the poor are the ones who suffer the most, it's easier to find those tragedies there.

What they forget is that they are part of the city, but they belong to it. They are just more politically manipulated; yes, because politicians use them when elections come and they want to make votes, creating programs that are never put into practice.

Yeah, I feel really bad about that, but unfortunately, like a said is mention here in Colombia: One swallow doesn't make a summer.

It is almost impossible to get equal opportunities for everyone until the corruption is not out of the government (Another saying is: There will always be enough money if it is not stolen by politicians).

With that being said, Oscar – the child, just started to calm down and finally he realized that people from the capital city is not what he thought. After a short apologize, their parents came to me and shook my hands as a sign of a “job” well done.

The moral of the story

·  Never judge something or someone by what others tell you. First, known for yourself, and then you can form your own opinion.

·  What newspapers and newscasts show nowadays is not always the reality. Do your research and verify what they are saying and showing. With the amount of fake news everywhere, it is always better to be sure of what is going on before taking any position.

·  A single instance of something good doesn't necessarily indicate that a situation will improve.

· There is a saying: “Wherever you go, do what you come for”. You have to learn to adapt to your environment and not vice versa. If at any time you are not comfortable, look for alternatives for change, but never fight against it, because the only loser will be yourself.

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