“Mom, the new Xbox console is out. I want it!” Arav was ecstatic. “But Arav, you already have an Xbox and so much more. You aren’t getting anything else,” Mala responded angrily.
Arav’s excitement turned into disappointment. “I hate you!” he shouted, picked up the keys of his bike, and stormed outside. Mala wondered what more could she possibly do to keep their only son happy. Her husband seldom said no to Arav’s never-ending demands. For a 16-year-old, Arav had all the luxuries that someone at his age could ever want.
Meanwhile, countless thoughts raced in Arav’s mind as he aimlessly rode across the city. I am so unfortunate. I wish I had better parents, he wondered in dismay.
While standing at a red light, his glance fell on a family huddled in the corner. Their tattered clothes told a tale of their endless struggles. But what really caught his attention was this little boy who was playing with a ragged, old teddy bear without a care in the world.
Arav was dumbstruck. Despite everything he had in life, he couldn’t recall a single moment where he felt such unbridled joy that he saw on the boy’s face.
The signal turned green and Arav turned on the ignition. He decided to take a U-turn, both on the street and in his own life.
He reached home and went to his mother. “Umm, ma… I am sorry about earlier. I don’t want the Xbox. I think I have enough,” he said earnestly.
“Really? What made you change your mind? I thought you hated me,” Arav’s mom came closer and held his hands.
“No, ma. You and dad are the best parents I could ask for. You’ve done a lot for me,” he said.
The next day, Arav ran into the storeroom and rummaged through his old toys, which his mother had carefully stacked. He also found some old clothes. He collected those in a bag and brought them to the young homeless boy and his family.
Seeing their smiling faces was the moment when he tasted the elixir of true happiness.