Precious

“Again the same gourd curry! I’m not going to eat it”, he commented and left the table.

It was not just today that Sameer messed over the meal; rather, it had become his daily routine.  Sameer was a 25 years old young man from an upper middle class family. It had been a month or so that he had found a good job after completing his MBA.  He was working hard to make a better position in the company.  By nature he was a good person. Most of the time he would hang around with his friends in different food spots to enjoy junk food. At home he would always find faults with food.

One morning he was standing in front of the mirror correcting his tie when the servant told him to the breakfast. His mother and father were already waiting for him on the dining table. He greeted them and for the breakfast.

“Which type of omelet have you cooked”, he said looking at the servant standing beside him. “There is nothing wrong with it”, his mother interfered. “I don’t simply want to have it”, said Sameer and started having tea.  “He is just new and doesn’t know about your taste, it will take him some time to cook according to your wish. You should change your habit of finding faults with the food all the time”, said his father. “I’m getting late”, he said and stood up. “You should have something, child, it’s a very long day” said his mother. “I’ll have something in the office, I’m getting late”, said Sameer and left .It took him two to three minutes walk to reach to the bus stop from his home. Daily he would see small children collecting garbage on the way.

 Today when he was going to the stop, he saw six years old child collecting garbage. He then noticed that the child had picked up something from the garbage, cleaned it from the dust and hid it in his side pocket. “It might be something valuable…Something made of gold...a ring...or a necklace.” Sameer’s mind worked quickly.

“Show me what you have found?” Sameer ask the boy, but the boy held his pocket more tightly.  It was clear enough that he had something very precious. “What is it?” he said angrily, but the boy won’t reply. So he grabbed his hand, reached his pocket and took the solid out of it.  He was filled with feelings of guilt and fear…he burst into tears for being unthankful to God…he never  again  messed over the meal.

It was a dry, dirty piece of bread.


mAria