SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

Listening to her story, I was reminded of the many humble families. She is one of those people who does not need much for happiness and peace. I was not surprised by her story and the story of the Eighth of March.

»I come from a poor family, so I had to work when I was almost a child. My first job was in Mechanotechnics.«

»In Izola? It was a factory with many good toys,« I interrupted her. 

She nodded and said, »It was true, and relations between us workers were good. We trusted, respected and liked each other.«

She nodded, smiled again and continued, »In those days - it was a long time ago - we wives got carnations for the eighth of March. The management gave them to us. The manager, who was a very kind-hearted man, came up with his own gift, because he respected us so much.«

»Did you get a toy?«, I cheered like a child.

»Oh, no. I said it was his gift, and there were 325 of us women in the factory.«

»Oh, I see. Even if it was the most modest toy, it would be too much,« I admitted, eager to find out what this man had come up with.

»It was simple, but very original. He went from one woman to another. Each one held out her hand and gave him a ring.«

»A ring?«

»Yes, the ring. He took it, cleaned it and sanded it.«

»How interesting and truly original. A great idea for a simple way to cheer up and give a gift to your neighbour. That would be the most beautiful gift for me too, worth more than a flower you buy and simply give. I am not saying that a flower is not a gift of thoughtfulness, but there is nothing better than a drawing done by a child or a bunch of bells picked with love.«

Mrs Landi laughed as she went on: 

»When he came up to me, I held out my hands, even though there was no ring glistening on my fingers.

,’Don't you have one?' he asked me.

,’I don't,’ I replied. 'No one has ever given it to me. But even if I had, I wouldn't wear it.'

He looked at me in amazement, sat down next to me and said kindly, like a father: ’You, little girl, have one of the most beautiful qualities: modesty!«"

Mrs Landi finished telling the story, and it awakened in me the memory of those old days when our parents knew how to instil modesty, moderation and love. Of the times when we were content and happy with a small and tiny gift given from the heart.

Darinka Kobal, 4. 2. 2026