YOUR CHANCE OF GREATER GOOD.
It was an early morning. Dad was getting ready for his office when mum asked him to please take the car out for a wash today. He asked, “Why?” She told him, “Because the driver is planning to visit his Grand son today, he will have to leave early to catch the bus and he will not be coming for two days”. Dad asked her, “Where is he going for two days?” She told him, “Tomorrow is the Birthday of his Grand son, so he is going to spend time with him and celebrate.” And of course dad had no problem with that.
But then mum asked, “Oh one more thing! Should I give him five thousand naira(5000) as a bonus?” “Why now? Dad asked, We will give him during the Christmas”. “Well, he is hardly able to manage his expenses and he is visiting his Grand son, not sure how he will be able to manage as these days inflation is high. I feel he can use a little bonus" Mum said
But dad didn't understand and he felt mum was being too sensitive and worrying too much”. then mum said, “Don’t Worry, I will cancel our plan to go out and have a pizza, that way we can give him extra 5000 as a bonus”. with a smile, Dad replied “You are ready to take the pizza out of my mouth… Well, do as you feel if you are willing to let go of 6 sliced pizza, it’s fine”.
After a couple of days, when the driver had returned, he was cleaning the car, dad was sitting on his chair and asked, “Did you enjoy a good time with your Grand son ?” The driver replied, “Yes Sir, I enjoyed a lot, I spent whole 5000 in 2 days!” “Oh really! How did you spend 5000 so quickly?”
The driver replied with a happy smile, “For 1500, I bought a Dress for my Grand son, bought sweets for 500, Paid 1000 for Bus Tickets,, for my daughter in law I bought a bangle for 1000 and last 1000, I gave to my Grand son to purchase pencil and papers for his school”.
And Dad was surprised. He started thinking about the 6 slices of pizza. Each slice started hitting in his mind. He started comparing the cost of the pizza with his drivers expense. He was lost in thoughts how the driver bought something for everyone in his family and spent a quality time with them for his Grand son's birthday. And all these just for the cost of the pizza. He realized something that day.
Moral: We have a right to do what makes us happy and spend our hard earned money as we like for our happiness. No one has right to envy at how you spend money earned by your hard work. But, if you feel you had wasted your hard earned money for something to gain nothing even if it was occasionally, you have a chance to do something of a greater good for someone. You may not be obligated to do so, but your little goodwill can light up someone’s life in many ways..
Thanks.
We often underestimate the value of a little kindness. Something that cost us a little comfort could give some other person greater comfort and so would our reward be greater. Thanks for the reminder. Great post.