MONEY=HAPPINESS

“Request rejected, insufficient money in the account’ Flashed the ATM.

“Ahh!! Not again, not now”

Kabir tried another card but the screen showed the same thing. So now he had to walk to his home back in this bad weather. He didn’t have any money left in his account. And there were 6 days left until the next salary comes. Working two shifts wasn’t helping. With money, every day was a struggle for him. Home was a long way, he took his steps in despair.

“I wish I was rich, wouldn’t have to worry about money. Can buy anything. I would be so happy.” He said to himself. He always thought that Money=Happiness.

Soon it started pouring down. As if the day wasn’t bad enough.

It started raining heavily, he walked into One-dollar shop and started roaming around. Waiting for the rain to stop. He was looking at the different kinds of hats and was amazed by that.

“Mommy, this one. I want this one” Said a girl pointing to a spectacle, the most colorful one. She was probably 4-5 years old. She seemed so happy the moment she took them. Kabir missed being a child. The period when everyone is happy but then you grow up. The harsh reality of this world thrashes our perfect imagination of this world.

He the rain stopped, we walked towards the door past the counter. He saw the same girl crying.

“Sorry we will get it next time, I forgot my wallet at home. I am so sorry honey.” Said her mother.

Kabir exactly felt how the girl must be feeling. He was aware of that feeling. Something you want, something you crave for and can’t get that. He started searching his pockets for some coins. Luckily he found 2 dollars. He went back to that spot and came back with two same spectacles. Paid at the counter. He rushed after them as he saw them leaving.

“Excuse me” He said.

“I have ‘accidently’ brought two same glasses. So, here this one is for you”. He continued.

The little girl looked at her mother asking for her permission. Her mother smiled back. She took the glasses and started jumping.

“Thank you so much! She really wanted it” Her mother said.

“Nah! That is okay. So what’s your name?” He asked the girl as he got on his knees to level the girl.

“Hailee” She replied.

“Wow, you have great name and smile”.

“Thank you, Mr. stranger” She giggled. And hugged him.

“Have a nice day ahead” He said and left.

He felt something unusual, something once he knew, something rare – happiness it was. He was poor. Having money was all he wished for. Today he realized that it was true, MONEY=HAPPINESS but this equation lacked only one condition. Which was “Irrespective of the amount, if used at right things and right places then and only then MONEY=HAPPINESS.”

Today he brought happiness, 1-dollar happiness. He also got to see amazing smile and a complementary hug from a 5-year-old. Home was still a long way, but this time he took his steps with happiness.

Money=happiness*

*terms and conditions applied