BUILD UP UP OUR COUNTRY

His father was reading the newspaper after a hard day’s work in the factory, but Jovan would not leave him alone. Jovan was doing his home work in geography and kept asking his father questions: Father, what is the capital city of Japan?” “Tokyo, my son”. “What is the capital city of Malaysia?” “Kuala Lumpur” “And what is the capital city of Indonesia?” “Jakarta”.
His father was getting annoyed now at all these questions which Jovan asked. Trying to get a few minutes peace, he said to Jovan, “Look, son, I am going to give you something to do. Write out the name of the USA states and put beside it its capital.” Thinking this would give him a few minutes rest, he smiled as Jovan began to do the task.
He had hardly begun to read the newspaper again, when Jovan returned with the task neatly and correctly done. “Well done, my son”, he said, “but I have one more task for you.” Taking his newspaper, he tore off half a page which in an advertisement for PANAM (It’s an airlines company of America),had a map of USA. He tore out the map neatly, and then to Jovan’s surprise, he tore the picture of USA into little pieces. Handling the pieces to Jovan, he said, “Now, my son, let’s see how much geography you know. See if you can put these pieces together correctly.”
Confident that he would now be able to finish reading the newspaper in peace, the father sat back contentedly and began to read. But not for long! Minutes later Jovan was back with his work complete and correct. His father sould not believe his eyes. In real wonder at the work of his son, he asked, “How did you do it so quickly, my son?” Jovan replied, “Oh, it was easy, Father. On the other side of the paper there was a picture of a man. By building up the man, I build up USA.”
To build up our country, or our city, or our environment, or our family, we have to begin with building up our own selves. Building up our humanity, our talents, our knowledge, our skills, our personality.