This is a rare anecdote that tells our children to balance their cyber lives with nature, to avoid becoming computer zombies. Please let your children read this.
Peter was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. At the age of three, he had his own high-end portable ‘toy’ computer playing the most sophisticated games only teenagers could play. He would play computer games while taking breakfast. As soon as he woke up, he would be glued to it until lunch. At lunch, he would stop to rest his tired eyes. Then he would play the whole day until bedtime.
His parents, too busy with their businesses, spoiled him rotten and bought anything he wanted without question. When he asked for it, they gave him a PC with a giant screen because he was beginning to get cross-eyed. He was so small that he could hardly reach the keyboard. So, they gave him a highchair with a step to get on it. Peter was as white as snow because he never got any sunlight. He was a computer zombie at the age of 5. He had no friends but he did not care. All that mattered was his games.
Once, during a vacation in Peru, Peter met Carlos who would change his life. Carlos was the son of the housemaid. They stayed in a remote five-star mountain resort with a WiFi connection.
CARLOS: You are loco, amigo. You never go out. You are addicted to that thing.
PETER: What is it to you? Am I bothering you? Get out of my face.
CARLOS: From now on, I call you Snow White.
One day, Carlos hid Peter’s portable computer. Peter went into a rage.
CARLOS: I don’t know. Perhaps it was stolen. I found the window open this morning. (He cleverly left it open.)
PETER: I’m going to die.
CARLOS: Come, I will show you something.
They went outside to the blinding sun. Peter shielded his eyes. Carlos told Peter to remove his shirt. They hiked to a cliff with a panoramic view of the rainforest below, immersed in a carpet of mist.
Peter is hit by a lightning bolt, shocked by the awesome beauty. The hot sun caressed his snow-white skin. They lay in the sun for 30 minutes.
CARLOS: I am sorry to say, I hid your computer because it is killing you.
PETER: Thank you, Carlos. You are a friend, in fact, the only friend I have. This is the first time I feel the warmth of the sun. (He embraces Carlos.)
When they went home, Carlos gave Peter back his computer. Peter went outside and smashed it against a rock. That was how he became a nature child. Every day, they went to the cliff to watch the mist slowly disappear, then lay in the sun. Peter became golden brown. His parents were shocked by his dramatic change. Peter embraced his parents in tears.
PETER: This is all your fault, but I forgive you. Carlos has made me see the light. I want to stay behind with Peter for one more month.
DAD: That’s okay, son. Stay as long as you like.
Peter and Carlos eventually became mountain climbers as teenagers. They conquered the Himalayas and the Swiss Alps. Peter’s parents funded the education of Carlos. For the first time, Peter acquired a social life. He made a lot of friends in school because people around him were amazed by his simplicity and sincerity. He was born with a natural charisma.
He and Peter graduated with honors in Marine Biology. They got a third person into their realm, Maria Elena, Carlos’ best friend. She eventually became Peter’s girl. From the mountains, the triumvirate moved to the sea, three nature children who loved each other. Often, they would watch the luminescent tide in the dark night.
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