I've written this short story inspired by many event that I had seen, like how people are envious about others and as a result of that what people do. But to be more specific there are two things that have been the motivation to write this story. They are as follows:
1. A survey was taken, in which people were were asked to chose one among the two options:
Which life would you choose?:
a. you earn 100,000 rupees per month and people around you(i.e. friends, family and neighbors) earn 250,000 rupees per month.
b. you earn 50,000 rupees per month and people around you(i.e. friends, family and neighbors) earn 25,000 rupees per month
Surprisingly, many people chose "b" option, giving the reason " It is important to have more than others"
2. Pastor in church told about a guy who took a loan of 300,000 rupees so that he can buy designer clothes. Soon he was not able to pay back the loan amount and the bank issued notice stating that he should not ever be given loan again.
These two incidents show how much jealousy and greed is being a part of our culture and the sad apart is everyone is getting stuck in this cycle.
I hope this short story touches your heart. Thanks to God for giving me the strength to write this story.
"Give freely and become more wealthy;
1. A survey was taken, in which people were were asked to chose one among the two options:
Which life would you choose?:
a. you earn 100,000 rupees per month and people around you(i.e. friends, family and neighbors) earn 250,000 rupees per month.
b. you earn 50,000 rupees per month and people around you(i.e. friends, family and neighbors) earn 25,000 rupees per month
Surprisingly, many people chose "b" option, giving the reason " It is important to have more than others"
2. Pastor in church told about a guy who took a loan of 300,000 rupees so that he can buy designer clothes. Soon he was not able to pay back the loan amount and the bank issued notice stating that he should not ever be given loan again.
These two incidents show how much jealousy and greed is being a part of our culture and the sad apart is everyone is getting stuck in this cycle.
I hope this short story touches your heart. Thanks to God for giving me the strength to write this story.
Vanity
‘You don’t look so good’, Michael asked looking at his wife as he entered their apartment.
‘And you look very happy’, said Asha.
‘Remember this guy i was telling you about who was competing with me for the regional manager position, now he is no more’
‘How?’ ,Asha asked in excitement.
‘Well, just played some classic politics and pushed him out’ ,Michael said, the pride on his face was obvious.
The previous dullness from Asha’s face disappeared instantly as she screamed in joy.
Once the excitement in the air was gone, Michael went into the bedroom and came back after changing his dress.
‘by the way, why were you not looking so good when i came in’, Michael asked as he sat down on the dining table.
There was a slight sign of stress on Asha’s face as she begins to speak.
‘Shamini and Raja came home today afternoon....’ she said and paused.
Michael just nodded; he guessed what it was all about but didn’t tell anything.
‘I just couldn’t control myself; she went on and on about herself.’ She said and the amount of frustration was clearly seen on Asha.
‘Ooooh nowadays i only buy platinum.....ooooo I buy only designer sarees now. ....’ she said imitating Shamini.
Michael was trying hard not to laugh; this was not the time to laugh, no matter how funny things are.
‘This girl was a no body till yesterday and now that she married this rich guy, look what she is doing’
‘With the kind of money she is having now, I guess I will be showing off too.’
‘i accidently saw her open handbag and there was roughly 50,000 rupees.......50,000 rupees of loose cash’ Asha said with eyes wide open.
Michael was taken aback.
‘Guess what car they came in?’
‘Benz or BMW?’
‘They came in a Bentley’
Michael was totally stunted.
‘She called us both for lunch to her house tomorrow....I told that you will be busy in office tomorrow’
‘But I’m totally free tomorrow’
‘I know that’, Asha looked like that was ready to pounce on him any time,’ if she is showing off here in our house, imagine what all she will do when we go to that palace of a house of hers. I won’t be able to take it’
‘I get your point. By the way, it’s getting late, why don’t we go to sleep’
‘Sure’
They both went to sleep.
Michael woke up and saw the desk clock; it was 3:00am. He went to the kitchen drank water and returned to go back to bed. As he entered the bedroom he was surprised to see Asha wide awake as she is generally a heavy sleeper.
‘Haven’t you slept all night?’
‘I’m not able to sleep’
‘Aren’t you feeling well?’
‘I can’t stop thinking about Shamini.’
Michael was very frustrated but controlled himself.
‘Michael, now that you’ve been promoted, i want you to take that loan and buy that house and car that we had been planning.’
‘Don’t you know we already have another loan?’
‘I know but do something, do anything’
‘Why this urgency?’
‘For the past many days I’ve not been able to face any of my friends or family. All of them are so well settled i feel so inferior when I’m with them. We must do something to gain respect. This is our chance’
Michael was silent, he was in complete confusion. The idea of a new and bigger house and car was very tempting but to take a loan now would be very risky.
After thinking for awhile Michael finally gives into his temptation and agrees to take the loan.
FORTY- SEVEN YEARS LATER.
Los Angeles, USA
‘I’m very sorry for your loss, your parents, Michael and Asha were very good friends of mine.’ Said a very elderly man
Catherine didn’t say anything, she just nodded. Though it had been more than six months since her Dad passed, she still didn’t recover from it fully and she didn’t like people reminding him about it. But in spite of all this, Catherine was blown away by the man’s style and expensive clothes and diamond rings which were glaring a lot.
Catherine invited the person inside her house and the elderly person continued to talk
‘My name is Raja. You wouldn’t know me because the last time I saw you, you were six years old.’ Raja said and smiled, ‘a few days before your father passed away, I went to see him in India, and they gave me this envelope’ Raja said taking an envelope from his coat pocket and giving it to Catherine.
‘They gave it to me and asked me to give it to you as my original plan was to leave for Los Angeles the very next day but unfortunately I had to leave for London immediately and soon I completely forgot about this envelope, sorry for the late delivery’
‘It’s ok’ Catherine said with curiosity about the contents of the envelope raising as each second passes by.
‘I’ll be on my way now, sorry I couldn’t long now, keep in touch with me, your dad asked me to take good care of you’ raja smiled and gave Catherine his visiting card.
Raja stood up and moved towards the door. Catherine opened the door for him. They both shook their hands now, Raja left and Catherine closed the door behind her.
Catherine sat on the sofa and opened the envelope. It was a letter and she began to read it.
My Dearest Catherine,
I’m sure by the time you get this letter, I won’t be alive. I have been wanting to tell you many things for the past few months but never got the opportunity, I felt that I’ve got to tell you this as soon as possible before I’m gone. First thing what i wanted to say is I’m sorry, you may not be knowing but many of the things that I had done and the decisions I had taken have impacted your life indirectly. I and your mother had been very bad examples of how to live life.
“Everything that glitters is not gold”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover”
I feel that these are two important proverbs which no one in this world follows. People do judge other by what they have or do not have; people are carried away by luxurious things. People admire people who have power and money instead of seeing who they really are as a person. This leads to people putting the pursuit of money and the need to show others that they are better than all of them ahead of their happiness and the happiness of their loved ones. The envious qualities of people are making them compete with their own siblings and friends. Jealousy is a dangerous thing. It was my envious quality that ruined my entire life; I never experienced true happiness because of it. I’m sorry, Catherine, do you know why i was not able to send you to Germany for that chess tournament? It’s not because I did not have any money at that time but I and your mother decided to buy a bigger car just because my brother bought a new car. I know how much you loved the game and know you would have easily won the tournament but none of this seemed important for me that time. Do you know why I couldn’t get you an education loan to send you to USA, because i had taken a loan of three lakhs from the bank and wouldn’t apply for a new one due to irregular payment of dues. I’m so ashamed of myself to tell you this but the three lakhs loan was taken so that your mother and I would wear expensive designer clothes when we go for parties. Thanks to God, my friend Raja was kind to help me everything i feel down. I did a lot of dirty politics in my office to move up the corporate ladder and cheated on tax payment. After all this, I’m really not happy, do you know why? It’s because I never really wanted any of this; I did not want a big house, the big car or the designer clothes. But the reason why I was doing all this was because I was jealous of my friends and family members. I wanted others to be below me and admire me, for me it was always important that I have more than others. I was competing with my own family and friends. My jealousy kept me from getting close to some of my friends who were really amazing people. I had wasted forty years of my life this way. Let me tell you one thing Cathy; know that your life is meaningless if you’re chasing money or power. People think that money will bring them happiness but that’s only an illusion. I can assure you that there are hundreds of rich people who i personally know, are some of the saddest people in this world. Let me tell you what you should be chasing after, live life to make others happy, that is the only way you can be truly happy.
I’ve always loved you very much my child. God bless you.
Yours lovingly,
Michael
