I think we all know how it feels like to live in a city.
Stressful, hectic, crazy, lots os complicated relationships and politics everywhere...

It may seem paradoxic, that many of us who are lapping in luxuries, seek death as the easy way out of our never-ending pile of problems.
The people living in rural areas or outskirts, who are struggling with their basic needs daily, strive to live despite the harsh conditions.

Many times when we start complaining of the bills, living standards, work-related problems, relationship troubles...etc, the listener would normally give a model answer, " Come on man, at least you have three full meals a day, nice clothes, and even your own apartment to live in. Think about those poor people in Africa, starving every single moment since they were awake. At least you are more fortunate than them."

Firstly, I would like to clarify that I am not trying to defend us city-dwellers. I do sympathise with the less fortunate, especially those who were born into such conditions. Without proper access to education, it is almost impossible to break out of poverty.

Another important point to note, is that, none of us could choose where and when and in what kind of family we could be born into. It wasn't their fault that some were born in third-world countries. Nor ours that some of us came from better off countries. Things just happen.

What I want to point out, is that the different society we grew up in moulds our expectations, priorities, and purpose in life.

Just as the average working adult would probably not worry too much about his meals, the latest Pokemon card collection would be insignificant to the child of a farmer in rural areas.

To us, meritocracy in terms of capabilities,leadership skills,interpersonal relationships, academic results, training and our image is very important.
To someone who lives by hunting, the sharp eyesight needed to detect the slightest movement in the bush, the stamina to go after a running deer, the strength and endurance to kill a prey or fight off a predator is equally important.

True, it may be hard to understand why anyone could commit suicide over something like grades. I mean, it's not like when we fail, our test papers would have a life of its own and force us to marry it. This only goes to show how effective the society was in instilling the fear of failure in students, so much so that it requires more courage to face the consequence of failing than to end his life. To the student, his duty was to excel in his studies. By underperforming, he has let everyone around him, and himself down.

Are we city-dwellers, to be considered as weak cowards who turn to suicide at the slightest problem?
Does the problem lies with our "softer" personalities, or are we just the by-products of an era where competence in certain areas are more favored over the others?

Is an ex-convict who turned over a new leaf less courageous than a hunter?
Likewise, is a gypsy who dyes cloth with natural, hand-made dyes, less of an artist than Picasso?

Of course, I'm in no position to judge nor do I wish to do so.

All I know is that, I squeal at the sight of a harmless caterpillar, just as Pocahontas would probably squeak at the vibration of a handphone.