In Black and White

It was a sunny Friday afternoon. Two sisters, Michiko and Aye, sat in a park ready to share their snacks. Michiko looked at Aye and knew that a question was coming so she decided to be the one who would begin this time:

“Aye, do you ever wonder why our parents talk about those old black-and-white films?” Michiko asked passing Aye an apple.

Aye nodded, “Yeah, and they’re always talking about these old books. I don’t get it. Why do they like those things when everything now is so colourful and exciting?”

Michiko thought for a moment. “Well, Mom told me once that those old films and books are like time machines. They take us back to a different time, a different world.”

Aye seemed a bit confused. “But why is that so interesting?”

“I try to imagine how the world will be like in some hundred years and I am not even sure if children will still have toys… But imagine that if someone in the future found our favourite toys, they would learn so much about our world.”

“Oh, it’s like when Grandpa tells us stories about when he was young. Even if things were different, it’s still exciting to hear about. Maybe it’s like when you draw with just a pencil. The colours might not be there, but the picture can still be wonderful.”

Michiko and Aye found themselves curious about the old films and books their parents loved. They even started a little club where they would watch one black and white film each week and read old stories.

And as they watched and read, they realised that the past was full of interesting and important lessons. It wasn’t just about what was in colour or black and white. It was about the stories, the people, and the feelings that connected them.