The shock of everything made the villages woozy. But Uncle Rufung was not done talking yet. "Everyone, the boss also said that tonight, there will be a feast, courtesy of our Company!... You are all invited, because it will be there that Boss Gort will talk about the buyers' thoughts."
Good, good, good.
There was an immediate uproar, as many now rushed forth to ask if they needed any help when preparing the emails for tonight's festivities.
Uncle Rufung shook his head sideways.
Gort had told him there was no need for that. The company has actually been planning for tonight's festivities for a few days now. It was going to be an outdoor one in an open space not too far from the company. They chose a certain slope that looked like a prairie.
Everyone was invited, even those who weren't 'shareholders.'
But while everyone was concerned with the upcoming festivities, now within the company, several people's minds were getting blown when calculating just how much profit they'll be making at the end of it all.
Only now did Hendo, Frosh, Old Axe and several other elders understand how profitable Gort's products really were.
Is this the difference between a genius and them?
Their products from farming could never raise so much money. But sure enough, if a genius goes through the route of Agriculture, his results will of course surpass theirs.
"Water… I need water…" Hendo felt that his old bones could t take the shock. The muscles along his jaws were twitching, and even his toes began curling the more he thought of it.
None of the others were in better condition. Even Park Fairbang's and Clare Rei felt the room around them was getting smaller.
You know that even though they believed in their son, believing was a matter different from seeing with their own eyes how willing the buyers were to pay.
"Dad, what's the matter with you?" Katrina frowned, wondering why her father was looking so pale after hearing the good news.
"Daughter, you don't understand." Frosh suddenly felt like going out for a smoke.
Sigh…
Several parents gave second looks to their children, and for the first time, placed their hands gently on their shoulders:
"Son(s)/daughter(s), no matter what, you must follow Gort to the very end in this life."
Suddenly, their dropping out of school no longer seemed like a bad thing.
"_" [Children on the other end of the phone]
What's wrong with their parents?
******
Well, time flew by like a fart.
Despite it already being 7 PM, the sun was still shining brightly. It looked like it wouldn't be going anytime soon. The hot and delightful breeze flew across the prairie, sweeping the vibrant green blades of grass in one direction.
Indeed, the hills were alive in this village. Despite its poverty, mother nature still blessed it with beauty and serenity.
In various homes, people were now resting themselves to step out.
"Honey, are you ready yet?"
"Not yet! I'm looking for…. eh?... Have you seen my old black pipe?"
"Mother… Mother… I'm already starving. Can't you guys hurry it up?"
"Hmph! You two better not dirty up your outfits before we go out. Don't go running in the dirt before then, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The village children were very simple hearted too.
Unlike those in the cities and counties who watch TV, play games and do other high-tech things… Most village children still loved going out on adventures, fishing, farming, and playing outdoors most of the time.
In their village, even though a majority of people had TVs, they still limited TV time for weekends only.
Not even the adults were allowed to watch TV too. This reinforced the discipline to keep these children active and more willing to work at the fields and around the house too.
Most villagers were afraid that if their children watched TV too often, they'd get lazy like most city children, not knowing how to help around the house.
In most homes, the parents and even grandparents go out to the fields from morning to evening sometimes, farming and tilling the soil all day long. So imagine if they come home to no meal or even a dirty home?
If a child is too young to start doing chores, the woman stays back to assist. But once the child reaches an age where she can hand wash her clothes, sweep the yard and floors, and do other matters, then she's old enough to cook.
By 6 and even 8, many village girls already know how well to cook for their parents and grandparents who work all day long.
Some even bring lunch to their parents in the fields, returning with the bowls and empty dishes after the meal. So imagine if their children suddenly grew lazy and didn't know how to help any more?
What they feared was that many of their children would lack empathy and sensibility.
Many times, they don't need to ask their children to help. These children do it without question because they feel empathetic towards their parents who work hard to put a roof over their heads and food.
Such values, they felt, couldn't be learned easily by those living in the city.
It's true that they wanted their children to work in the city and live the big dream. But that doesn't mean they don't see the downsides of living there.
It's just that in the face of knee-deep poverty, sending their kids to the city one by one seemed like the best option.