“The Greek Old Man” Article written by HH Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Al Suwaidi. We met Mr. Ellios, the Greek old man who didn’t disappoint us when we asked to meet him to tap his life experience in this warm, beautiful country which extends a huge, welcoming hand of its people of all ages to welcome us, we strangers, as if we are family members. The Greek Ellios strikes you with his expressions and furrows left on his face by years of misery and hard work; with his rough, darkened nails that have been used to dig out and weed his land. I can’t forget his insistence when he invited us to his farm and how he was jumping as if he was in his twenties rather than nineties. He used his bare hands in the soil, landscaping the small heaps around the vine that is greatly respected in Greece, and which grows circularly, embracing its earth and bending irresistibly with the wind. The movement of his hands to help him explain his words, his resonant voice, his strong arms, all make him an example of a strong Greek man. I asked him, “what is the secret of your happiness and the smile that persists since we met you?” “That’s because I don’t need anyone.” He answered. “I can do everything with these hands,” he continued as he raised his hands and tapping on his wide chest. “If I want a home, I am adept in construction, and I have built the house of my little family. If I need food, I resort to the land and plant whatever I need using my own hands. If I wanted seafood, I am a skilled, persistent fisherman. I am also a good hunter. So, the secret of my happiness is that I don’t need any human being, except my mind and hands. I am a self-reliant person who needs no one,” he went on. He went on to say that life has previously been full of high values and that the motto of the Greeks was integrity and honesty. “Oh, if only I had a son. My production would have been four times more than now. But the Lord had blessed me with two daughters only,” he continued. “Sir, I want from you an advice that you would like to give to your children and grandchildren,” I demanded. He sighed deeply, pondered for a while and then said, “Buy as much land as you can because land is a precious asset and a source of pride. Build a house that meets your requirements, not too big and demanding in terms of maintenance and not too small to squeeze your life up. For even if your land is too big to be cultivated, the Lord will fill it with grass for cattle to feed on as a divine source of life,” he said. “We all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. The earth always gives you double what you give it...... To read the full Article related to this post, kindly visit our website www.khawlaartandculture.com