The Beauty in Being Satisfied

Have any of you ever nagged your parents to buy you something expensive and thrown tantrums when they disagreed?

Well, I sure have. As a matter of fact, multiple times.

We live in a time where peer pressure has taken over schools. Adolescents fall into the trap of peer pressure and thus start demanding unnecessary things from their families. I have been there too. I once asked my parents for branded boots and on their refusal, I threw a temper tantrum and said some unforgivable things to my parents. To cool off, I went and sat at a park bench when I saw something that changed my perspective of life forever.

I saw a family of three walking the streets holding hands. The father’s clothes were in tatters and patched roughly at several places and he wore only one shoe. His uncovered foot was bleeding and covered in dirt. The mother had greasy grey tied in a messy bun and she too wore only one shoe. The child in the middle looked malnourished and wore clothes that were too small for him. But the thing that caught my eye wasn't their state of clothes. The little boy was wearing the shoes of both his mother and father to cover his two feet. His tiny legs tripped constantly with the weight of their shoes.

Seeing this scene, I immediately regretted the way I had spoken to my parents. I realized that parents make so many sacrifices so that their children can have better lives and stay healthy. I instantly went back home and profusely apologized to my parents.

On my coming birthday, they surprised me and gifted me the shoes I had asked for with huge smiles. The pure elation on their faces was enough to make me grin wide too.

I learned a very important lesson that day. There is a certain beauty and peace in being satisfied with what one has. You should try it too!!

                                                                                                                        Ananya Bansal

                                                                                                                             9 C