There was this little girl named “Ananya”….
One day Ananya’s mom taught her – “Teachers are your second
mothers. So always respect and love them the way you respect and love me.”
Little Ananya instilled that teaching into her mind for the
rest of her life.
It was Ananya’s teacher’s birthday after a week.
Ananya was lost in her thoughts and determined thinking what
kind of card she will make for her teacher and what gift will she give to her
teacher. Being a child, she was quite anxious to celebrate her teacher’s
birthday and see a smile on her face in return.
Just then, Ananya’s parents entered her room and announced
that they have a family function on the same day as Ananya’s teacher’s birthday
so she will have to miss the school.
Ananya felt bad. She tried to explain saying – “But mom-dad,
its my favourite teacher’s birthday and I can’t miss it. I always wish her on
the same day. Please can we go to the function on some other day?”
Her dad smiled and said – “No dear. The dates are not in our
hands. It’s not our own function. So you have to come with us. And the very
next day you can go and wish your teacher.”
Ananya resisted. She didn’t utter a word but she felt sad
deep inside. Why was it always that she had to give importance to others’
priorities.
The next day she went to her teacher. She was not in her
usual mood. The teacher could make that out.
The teacher asked her – “What happened Ananya?? Are things
fine with you? Are you unwell?”
Ananya was almost into tears. She replied – “No ma’am. It’s
your birthday but my parents have a family function and they want me to attend.
But I don’t want to miss ur birthday. I have so many plans for your birthday. I
want to gift you so many things.”
Her teacher laughed on Ananya’s innocence. She said –“Oh! That’s
the problem? But you know what I want as a gift?”
Ananya wiped off her tears hurriedly to know what teacher
wants. She was obviously anxious to know.
The teacher said – “The biggest gift you can give me is you
obey your parents. Participate in their happiness and attend the function. And
then later on, you can come and celebrate my birthday. I am always here only.”
Ananya had always obeyed her teacher’s words. But she argued
this time – “But ma’am I want to be the first one to wish you.”
Teacher smiled and replied – “By agreeing right now that you
will obey ur parents and go to the function, as such you will be the first one
to gift me naa… because u r giving me a
gift right away. And on my birthday, I am just a phone call away. U can be the
first one to call me. So I get ur wishes and gifts first. And then later on,
you can come and celebrate my birthday any day. I am here only. So please don’t
create hassle to your parents.”
Ananya agreed to it although half-heartedly. But she was
excited that by obeying her parents she will be the first one to gift her
teacher and she will be fulfilling her wish. Yay…!! And also that her parents and
her teacher demanded the same thing from her so she gave up on her wishes and
gave into their wishes.
She immediately rushed home and went to her parents’ room
and announced – “Mom-dad, What am I suppose to wear in that function? I am
ready to come to the function. I don’t mind now.”
Her parents became extremely happy on hearing this. Her dad
could see that she has agreed and infact happily agreed to obey them.
Her parents went to her, sat besides her and held her hand
and said –“Dear Ananya, We are really happy that you have complied to our
wishes and are ready to follow what we said. You have touched our hearts. And
your teacher is a wonderful person who has taught you such beautiful things.
But since u r adjusting as what we demand, we also will respect your wish. We
will go the function but only for a while, and then we can come back and you
can go and celebrate your teacher’s birthday. And as such we also have some
important work so we have to be back. So now you are also happy and we are also
happy. Happiness everywhere!”
Ananya could not believe her ears. She immediately hopped
with happiness. And asked – “Really Dad?”
Her dad moved his hand in affirmation.
Ananya became happiest and so her parents and so the
teacher.
P.S.- People who
truly and unconditionally love you, will always look for your true happiness
and what’s right for you even if it doesn’t include them. In the story, first
the teacher gave up on Ananya’s wish for celebrating her birthday and asked her
to obey her parents because she truly cared for Ananya and wanted her to obey
her parents. Then Ananya gave up her
wish because she wanted her parents and teacher to be happy. And then her parents
gave up a little so that Ananya is happy. Only people who love you
unconditionally can think about you this way sacrificing their own happiness.
Cherish them. Love them to the core and never lose them. Such loved ones are
hard to find. Here all the 4 loved each other, cared for each other and respect
each other enough to let go of their happiness and respect others’ happiness.
