A Deep Talk

by

Per Jespersen

It was
a wonderful evening
in the middle
of the summer.

The birds were singing
all over the town,
but the noise
from the streets
disturbed the sound
of the birds
a little too much.

"Human beings are
the most noisy species
on this globe,"
Mark said.

He was sitting
with his sister Deena
on the top
of a hill,
enjoying the warm evening.

"Yes," Deena said.
"We spoil nature
and make so much noise,
that it is difficult
to find a quiet and
peaceful place."

"Mankind needs
tranquillity."

"Oh," Deena said.
"You use smart words!"

"I love that word.
Don't you know,
that we all
need breaks?
Small moments,
where everything is silent.
Then you can hear yourself."

"You mean,
that we have
an inner voice
inside us?"

"Sure.
I was told
by somebody,
that God speaks to us,
when we are silent.
We cannot hear him,
when it is too noisy
around us.
That's why we need
breaks of quietness."

"I think,
it can be too quiet.
I go crazy on Sundays,
because you cannot hear people,
cars or children."

Now the sun
was setting
in the horizon.
The sky grew
more and more red,
and the two children
did not say
a single word.

They just looked
at the scenery,
wondering about the beauty
of Nature.

"Is this a break
of silence,"
Deena whispered.

"Sure.
Did you hear anything?"

"In a way yes.
Somebody or something
told me, that I will be
a scientist.
I'll study Nature
in order to
understand it better."

"You, a scientist!
You are too lazy.
You have to
study for years.
Why?"

"I want to understand."

"Nature cannot be
understood.
It can be experienced.
That's the big mistake
we do,
that we try
to understand.
A sunset
cannot be understood –
it can be seen."

"But I still
want to understand.
I even think
I understand you."

"No, you don't!
I cannot
be understood.
I can only
be loved."

"I don't love you."

"No, of course not.
You are my sister.
But you like me.
But it does not mean,
that you understand
every bit of me."

Deena thought for a while.
"I must admit
that you are right.
Unfortunately."
She laughed.
"So we don't know anything
for sure.
We assume."

"Yes," Mark said.
"That counts for scientists as well.
They think they know.
That's an illusion.
Maybe everything
is an illusion."

"But Life is beautiful anyway!"


A Deep Talk
Engelsk for 7. klasse
Skole-forum.dk



Opgaver til "A Deep Talk"


What do you think about the discussion the two children have?


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Can you mention anything that we do know for sure:


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Is science only theories and not real knowledge?


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Is it good for us to have moments of silence? Why?


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Opgaver til "A Deep Talk"
Engelsk for 7. klasse
Skole-forum.dk