Growing up is the death of innocence in most cases. The childlike innocence that we had as children is methodically slaughtered by our education and our process of becoming a grown up. I am sure the innocence that you felt as someone gifted you a toy as a small child, you don’t feel any more. And it has happened as we are brain washed to not look too curious, too eager or too happy in order to look “cool”.

The same happens with societies I guess. The underdeveloped countries to some extend manage to retain that innocence as they are deprived. And as they start developing, the innocence is usually replaced with the arrogance of taking things for granted. And that is the beginning of the death of innocence. And most countries that are developed have killed their innocence in a similar fashion.

So I was surprised yesterday when I went shopping in a mall and saw a very innocent family buying their first music system. I was really touched. And felt that yes there is hope. We have not become innocence less yet.

It was a family of five. They came from lower economic class. They must have saved the money for many months to make that purchase. And that showed in the satisfaction on their faces when they picked up the parcel and walked away from the counter. The entire family was charged and excited. Also the innocent questions they asked touched me. I am so happy that even today we have so many innocent people around. Who are having that sparkle in their eyes which we call foolishness as we think we are intellectuals. But, to me that is life…the eagerness to be happy with the small things.

Seeing people like these I feel that there is still hope for mankind. We are not dead just yet.