The Age of Innocence

"The age of innocence is fading like an old dream . . . . "

These are the lyrics of Iron Maiden's songs "Age of Innocence". I was listening to this song the other day and I was led to think about the relevance of this song to today's world.

Today, the emphasis is on growing up as fast as possible. Toddlers in kindergarden are taught how to hold a spoon and fork, how to say "Thank you" and so on. If this is not enough, there are the stories of child-soldiers. These children, who should be going to school and playing with friends are trained to handle weapons and to fight a war which was never their's.

Truly, the age of innocence is only a dream today. If only we would realize that the days of childhood once lost will never return . . . .