Words and tales from an old Chinese man over dinner. He talks of the old days, his first love, starts of his businesses, and his life as it has been.
Wise words come out. He shares wisdom on how to raise children, to form a strong bond with them by not criticizing them once they've developed or entered the stage of autonomy.
More stories come, of how out of nine children of a poor Chinese family, when times were hard, all of the children worked and contributed to each other's well being. Working as 'adults' to place food on the table and order in the family. This is where he learned business, as he was 'in-charge' in helping his father to sell biscuits in the busy 'Chinese' town of their little city. Learning to hold money, orders and processes to make transactions and collaborations work. He grew up to own gas stores, restaurants, real estate business, and such. From the rough times of his childhood came riches and wealth from learning to work hard.
And what of the children of the present? Times may be hard, but not as hard as it was during and after the world wars, where poverty and deaths were visible on the streets and even in homes. Do they learn how to save money from 'The Hills'? Manage relationships from 'Gossip Girl'? And be proud of who they are from 'Bratz'?
Our world is getting complex as progress is knowledge and technology go on, and traditions are left behind, seen as inconvenient or unnecessary. What becomes of our children?
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