DAYS OF HAPPINESS
It is in boyhood that we can see “the vision splendid.” Manhood perceives it fade into the light of common day. Most men are willing to say that the years at school were the happiest in their lives, and we must all admit that the school period is a sheltered time, a time in which happiness is easy. The philosopher will probably say that though a boy may be perfectly happy, his capacity for happiness is not as great as a man’s is; but we may reply that the man is fortunate if he keeps the lightness of heart and the simplicity of the boy. Certainly the man is more than commonly fortunate if his work in the world lies with those whom he can trust as fully as he could his fellows at school. It is a wonderful age, the school age. What are its ephemeral trials and sorrows—its confusing spellings, its sums that refuse to come right, its moods and tenses that seem to have been planned by a ruthless ogre to provide pitfalls for the unwary—what are all these compared with its pleasant companionships, its joyful vitality, its lack of responsibility? True, at the end of the school year there is always someone to remind the pupils that they are the citizens of the future and must prepare to take upon themselves the responsibilities of the nation’s affairs. But after all it is not until school is done with that the boy and girl need concern themselves with thoughts of the future. The education system and those who administer it see to that. New Zealand, of course, as we are always prone to remind ourselves, has a good system, and it lays the foundations of good citizenship, without disturbing the children’s happiness. Yet the system does not work unaided. It is surely the teachers no less than the system—perhaps a good deal more—to whom we are indebted for the suceoss of our scheme of education. Is it not through their example, their inspiration, their affectionate care that the ambition of the children is stimulated and they are encouraged to follow right ideals? Are we as grateful as we should be for the devotion of the teachers? They not only lay the foundations of good citizenship but also preserve the children’s happiness. Theirs is a fine achievement.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19477, 21 December 1925, Page 8
Word Count
392DAYS OF HAPPINESS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19477, 21 December 1925, Page 8
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