For one thing, she does not go about gossiping, as many women of her age do. She is talkative, it must be admitted; but the beauty is that she does not make you a `victim’ of her conversation, as many inconsiderate people do with their stale tales. She talks, but she does not crave for company to talk to. She herself is company enough for her, or at the most her darlings, Bob and Liz. She talks either to herself or to her cat and dog. This, mind you, is not because she is a misanthrope. My grand father, a widower, now well over seventy, will swear on his life that Mrs Rodriguez is the wisest and the most lovable person he has ever come across.

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Often the two can be seen seated together, chatting away long hours of the evenings either in her garden or in ours. I often wonder what these two, after having journeyed through the ups and downs of life, are thinking of the younger generation. Relaxing in the twilight of their lives, they, like amused and disinterested spectators, would be passing comments that come from the depth of their ripe age and experiences.

A Very Considerate Neighbor

Direct in contrast is the family next door to us on the opposite side. The Wee’s are large family. Mr. Wee – “I have only thirteen children” – is a bit worried about the unlucky number of his children. The youngest of the Wee’s is now turning three. Mr. Wee works in a shipping firm. “My boss pays me more than I deserve,” admits Mr. Wee gratefully. Yet he finds it difficult to give enough pocket money to all his school-going children everyday. Mrs Wee suspects that Mr Wee keeps a concubine or two. “Otherwise, how is all his money spent?” A very sensible question according to a woman’s logic! But Mr. Wee alone knows how hard he struggles to feed the thirteen children and their mother, let alone keep a concubine.

They live in a wooden house that stands on stilts. The Wee’s seem to enjoy radio programmed immensely. Their radio set, switch on from the day it was bought, has never been switch off. The set is turned on to such a high volume that the whole neighborhood is forced to listen to it. They seem to enjoy making noise and they do not realize that they are being a nuisance to others.

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Mr. Wee is a gentleman and a very considerate neighbor; but Mrs Wee has a little sense of good neighborliness. She can hardly control all her children. The little imps run about wild, shouting and screening, hooting and crying, throwing stones, climbing trees and falling down. They are really a troublesome lot.

Tolerance and an Attitude of Live

These and other people, living nest door remind me that it takes all sorts to make the world. Tolerance and an attitude of live and let live, and above all, the ability to see ourselves as others see us and to see others from their view point – all these become essential if we want to get along with the people next door.