“Your dress is so beautiful, Sherley.” Lucy appreciated the pink colored mermaid gown, studded with dazzling stones with an effervescent smile.
“Thanks Lucy. Why don’t you get one for yourselves? I always see you in old torn and worn-out clothes.” Sherley responded in an arrogant tone.
“Don’t you know Sherley? She’s a poor girl who can’t afford good things.” One girl commented and the group of girls laughed at her.
Lucy’s smile faded out and she silently moved to her desk. The buzz in the classroom slowly faded and she was lost in her own world. She was sad that the world shuns her even though she opens her arms for embrace. In her sadness she skips her meal. Her father picks her from her college, but he finds her beautiful smile missing. She’s also weak as she skipped her meal. She asks her father to get her a sandwich.
She holds her sandwich and sits on a park bench. Tears form a film in her eyes, about to burst out. She sees a lean kid beside the bench who looked to be starving. Without a second thought, she gives the sandwich to the kid, who happily grabs it and eats it. She looks at the smile on the dry lips of the kid which is worth any sacrifice. She gives a momentary smile and returns to her gloom. Her father observes her.
“What’s up child. Something bothering you?” He asks
“Is it a curse to be poor?” She asks with a shaky tone.
Her father gives her a smile and wraps his arms around her.
“Listen child. Rich and poor depend on what you measure with. Real richness is measured by your willingness to share, your willingness to give. By that measure, you are the richest lady in the world. Who dares give away her sandwich to the deprived when she herself is hungry?” Her father gently stoked her head to which she gave a child-like giggle.
“You’ll get what you give, my dear. Remember.” He gave his pearls of wisdom.
Lucy felt light. She held her father’s hand and walked towards their modest house. On her way home, she saw the banners of Smith’s Arc.
It was always the most celebrated event of the year. Lucy very much wanted to be a part of event, but she doesn’t have a good dress to wear. Moreover, she was unfairly denigrated by her friends that she was afraid to be a part of it. Her father observes her and holds her hand in assurance.
Just a day before the event, she strolled along the shops. The sun has dipped into the hills at the horizon and the roads illuminated with grand lightbulbs. Zenith of festivities at display amazed Lucy. As she wandered along the shops, she stumbled upon a store for extravagant merchandise. She glanced at a mannequin which was adorned with the most exquisite gown she has even seen. She loved it, but she surmised that it is only for her viewing. With a wry smile she walked past the shop. Her father’s wisdom has changed her perception of life. She did window shopping for some time. She sang her way towards her home, lost in thoughts. As she attempted to cross the road, she saw a car zoom in her direction and screeched to a stop right in front of her. She looked frightened. A portly old man with a white flowing beard stepped out of the car and walked towards Lucy with a gift-wrapped package in his hand. He looked like a kind man. He smiled at her and asked her to calm down. He makes her sit on a bench and offers her water which his chauffeur hands him. Placing the package beside her he gets an assurance that she’s fine.
“I’m sorry child, it’s a busy day for me. Rush hour, you know.” He chuckled in his baritone voice.
“I see that you are lost, child. I’m not going to ask you the reason. But remember one thing, happiness or sadness is not anyone’s creation, but your choice. You choose to be happy, and no one can change that. It’s all within you. Choose happiness, my child and it will come your way, one way or the other.”
“Let’s move Rudolf, It’s time.” He says and gets up to move, leaving the package behind.
As the car starts, Lucy notices that the old man left the package behind. She quickly picks it up and waves it at him. “You left the package.”
“Yes. It was for my daughter who was supposed to visit me. But unfortunately, she’s not going to make it this year. It rightly belongs to you now.” He says and closes the window glass with a smile.
She walks to her home in confusion. She stares at the package for a long time and finally decides to open it. As she opens the package, a pleasant surprise awaits her. She stares at the gown she saw at the store.
With the glittering gown that she wore, she was the center of attraction at the event. Her friends agreed that she’s was the most beautiful dame in the town. She was indeed the soul of the event.
What we are is what we think we are. It’s all in our thoughts. Underestimating yourself is the greatest mistake you can make.
Hope you have enjoyed the story. Please share your thoughts in comments.
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