The Fence — by Jose Garcia Villa

 



    The short story entitled “The Fence” is written by Jose Garcia Villa and published in 1927. In this story, two women, Aling Biang and Aling Sebia, have a big fight that causes them to build a fence between their houses. This fence shows how much they dislike each other. It's not just a physical barrier; it also represents the hurt feelings from a betrayal between them. Because of this fight, their kids, Iking and a girl from the other side, are not allowed to be friends. This makes Iking very curious about the girl he sees on the other side of the fence. Even though he's warned not to, Iking secretly listens to her music. Sadly, he dies on Christmas Eve. His mom, who is very sad about losing him, blames the girl's music for his death, thinking it's a cruel reminder of their sad story. This tale teaches us that the fence isn't just a thing; it shows how far apart the two families are emotionally. It keeps them isolated, even when they share the same sadness. The story also tells us how much it hurts to be separated and what happens when problems aren't solved, leaving people feeling alone and disconnected.

 

The story is strongly influenced by the culture, history, and environment of the Philippines. It shows how people in Filipino communities value pride and try to solve problems. The fence between the houses isn't just a physical thing; it represents how fights can affect families and communities, causing loneliness and distance among relatives. The setting, with its traditional houses and everyday life, reflects the tough conditions that match the characters' emotional struggles. Although Christmas Eve is usually a time for togetherness in Filipino culture, in this story, it contrasts with the sadness of Iking's death, making the loss even more impactful because it happened during such an important cultural moment. Overall, the story uses these cultural, historical, and environmental elements to illustrate how fights can damage relationships, providing a heartfelt look at how conflicts impact people’s lives

 

This story might not fit well with the usual teachings in many schools, especially those linked to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) tradition. It talks a lot about conflict, hard feelings, and sad events, which might be too grown-up or intense for younger students. Also, the story shows how arguments and not solving problems can lead to problems in society and make people feel alone. This could go against the values of peace, forgiveness, and making up, which are usually important in SDA schools. The sad part about a young character, Iking, dying on Christmas Eve and feeling lonely and upset might not match the positive and happy atmosphere that schools, especially those following SDA ideas, want to create. So, because of these grown-up themes and the possibility of not matching the values of these schools, this story might not be recommended for younger students in SDA schools.


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