Barney wrote @ January 8, 2010 at 4:34 am

Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring story. I’ve no doubt those who claim to be worldly wise will say that it is “unrealistic” to expect the peace of the world to be based on such “childish” behaviour, but I’ve no doubt that unity and peace must be founded on the forgiveness and healing illustrated by this story.

  Michael Walsh wrote @ May 7, 2010 at 9:56 am

This story serves as an ideal example of amazing inner strength of children to heal and survive the absurd tragedies brought on by adult conflicts.

Could you honestly explain to a child that the violence was “justified” and the other side is an “evil enemy?”
That the conflict must go on because the other side is in the wrong?

Einstein famously quoted that “Peace is not achieved by force but through Understanding.”
The more damage or claimed “victory” killings of opposition leaders by one side– results only in more bitter and decisive retaliation by the other. The ultimate example is the martyrs who blow themselves up to destroy and harm the “enemy”. Destruction accelerates the downward vortex into bigger and more devastating attacks and warfare.

Conversely, as peace is emboldened by overtures to negotiate, compromise and settle territorial disputes, the upward vortex of progress and reconciliation can take hold– if there is a truce to stop the violence. But as long as the military hawks and extremists on each side continue to sow discord, promote violence and rule out negotiations, peace treads on very thin ice indeed.