Some people tell me stories of neighbours fighting with each other and causing each other all sorts of trouble. There are also those who are ready to fight to the death with their neighbours over petty disagreements, or who envy each other's new material possessions.
Fortunately, this is far from the case everywhere, and there are stories of neighbours who are happy to help each other out. In the small town near Celje, where Simona Pajk is from, neighbours know each other well and love to chat and socialise. Their small community is quite close-knit, and they help each other out when needed.
»Good neighbours are worth their weight in gold, and we usually only realise this when we need help or something else,« says Simona. She has offered her help several times herself. On one such occasion, her neighbours went to the seaside for a fortnight, but their ailing grandmother couldn't go with them, so she stayed at home.
At that point, they were faced with the dilemma of who to ask for help, as people usually have enough to do. Simona volunteered to help. She came to their house several times a day during their holiday and made sure that Grandma was fed and well provided for. She also took care of the urgent housework.
Two other neighbours who recently moved in needed help. They went to Germany for a long time to visit their daughter when she gave birth. At that time, there was no one who could take care of the house while they were away. Simona came to the rescue and made sure that everything was in perfect order in the house while they were away. She also came to feed the house cat a few times a day and was happy to keep it company while the owners were away.
And not forgetting one of Simone's hobbies, which not only delights her, but also her neighbours and acquaintances. It is gardening, which she does with dedication and passion and is really good at it. Her garden, where she grows a wide variety of vegetables, rewards her with a bountiful harvest. There are often so many different types of vegetables and fruit that she shares them among neighbours, acquaintances and friends who come from the city and do not have gardens to grow. After all there is enough for everyone, if only we know how to share and help each other.
Mateja Sekavčnik, 1 Feb 2026
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