Writer : Anand Sachdev Contact : [email protected]
Arun, a 10 year old boy used to live in Mumbai with his Mom, Dad and elder Sister Neha (15). It was
summer time, schools had just restarted. Arun was excited going back to school with an anticipation
of a new class, new class teacher, & possibly some new friends.
As the 1st class of the morning started, the teacher asked everyone to introduce themselves. A new
guy introduced himself as Sammy. He informed the class that he had recently shifted to Mumbai
from New Delhi.
of After the school, as Arun was taking his cycle from the cycle stand, he noticed Sammy standing
around waiting for somebody. Arun thought checking with him.
Arun – Hey Sammy, where do you stay? You need a drop?
Sammy – Hey Arun, I stay near Juhu Eskcon temple, is that where you are going too.
Arun – Yeah, that’s exactly where I stay. Come over I will drop you.
Sammy – Hey...thanks a lot yaar. I don’t know why the driver hasn’t come to pick me.
Arun – Oh You come by Car ? .. Ok. Anyways..Come over, would be nice to have a company.
That day onwards, Arun and Sammy became good friends. Sammy used to stay in the adjacent
building and was new in the city, so he started spending a lot of time with Arun by going to each
other’s house. Arun was a bit jealous to see that Sammy had a much bigger house. He had his own
room, since he was the only child. Whereas Arun had to share his room with his sister.
Dad used to give Rs.500 monthly to Arun and Neha as a pocket money. They were taught to use
money diligently and wisely on their basic needs. They both were made aware by their parents that
their pocket money should not be wasted on expensive items, eating outs and unnecessary
shopping. They were told that after one year their piggy box would be opened and a big item of their
choice would be bought from that money. In case the money would be short, some extra money as a
bonus would be contributed by Dad.
Initially both were excited by this scheme. Neha started saving for getting a Mobile phone of her
own. Whereas Arun started saving for getting a Cricket Set by that money. Neha used to save most
of the money she had. She was focused on her target of buying a mobile phone by the next year. She
knew that buying a mobile of her own would be a useful thing and thus was readily sacrificing on
smaller items and enjoyments.
On the other hand Arun started thinking that if he had no sister, probably his pocket money would
have been double. He was growing up now and wanted more freedom in his way of living. In past 10
months Neha had saved over 3800 rupees whereas Arun had hardly saved Rs.1000. Arun was
spending more time with his rich friend Sammy and was thinking that his life was cool and hep.
Sammy used to eat outside most of the times in Mck Donald and Pizza Hut. Since most of the times,
Sammy was paying the bill, Arun also thought of paying his bills. But due to limited pocket money he
realised that he cannot pay by his pocket money alone. He needed more money. Slowly and slowly
he started taking out his saved money from his piggy box. Very soon the time came when he had
Writer : Anand Sachdev Contact : [email protected]
almost finished up all his savings just because he wanted to show Sammy that he was as richer as
him.
Finally that day came when their Piggy Box was to be opened and they would get to buy a big item.
Dad called both Neha and Arun. Neha was excited as she had saved a lot of money and knew that a
mobile phone with basic features could be easily bought with that amount. However Arun was sad
and knew that he had been opening up Piggy box so often and spending hundreds of Rupees just
because he was eating out with Sammy.
Dad first asked Neha to open her Piggy box. Neha opened the box and her dad was pleasantly
surprised to count the money. It was more than his expectation. 4500 Rupees.
Dad – Wow Neha, I’m proud of you. You have saved more than my expectation. You would be
rewarded. Go and buy any mobile phone of your choice. Even if it’s expensive than 4500 rupees, I
will pay the remaining amount.
Dad (turning to Arun) – Son, now let’s see how much you have saved.
Arun fearfully opened his Piggy box. He knew money would be too less and Dad might shout at him.
Dad counted the money and was disheartened by seeing that he had only 500 Rupees in his box.
Dad- What is this Arun ? I give you 500 every month and I can see that your basic needs could be
met by 100 rupees per month. Where is your remaining money ?
Arun – I’m sorry Dad. I could not save any money.
Dad – Son, In that case, it’s your loss. You will have to wait for your Cricket Set until next year. I
cannot pay for your expensive Cricket Set which would cost at least 3000 Rupees. Only if you had
shown little interest in saving, you could have saved at least 2500 Rupees. Remaining I would have
paid for you.
Neha noticed that situation is getting bad for Arun and he might burst out crying. She decided to
intervene and handle the situation for her brother.
Neha – Dad, actually that’s not that Arun has not saved anything. Whenever I needed any money, I
used to borrow from Arun and he used to generously give me his Piggy Bank. There have been many
instances where I have taken money from him and he never asks back after giving his money. He is
not spend thrift but a person with big heart.
Arun was totally surprised how Neha was lying to Dad in order to keep up his reputation in the
family.
Dad – Oh is that the reason why your money count is good, just because you let Arun spend his
money for you ?
Neha – Yeah Dad, that’s correct.
Writer : Anand Sachdev Contact : [email protected]
Dad – Well in that case half of your money belongs to Arun.
Neha – Yeah Dad, that’s fine.
Dad – Okay guys, so it’s clear now. 4500 plus 500 makes 5000 Rupees. Let’s divide it into two of you.
Rs.2500 for Neha and Rs.2500 for Arun. This means that Neha, you must save more money till at
least next 3-4 monthds for your mobile phone. Arun can buy his Cricket Set tomorrow. Everybody is
fine ?
Neha – yeah Dad, that’s cool.
Arun (softly in a apologetic tone) – No Dad, I would let Neha buy the Mobile phone. She needs it
more than me.
Neha (turning to Arun) – No Brother, I know you have been waiting for that Cricket Set since pretty
long. You can go ahead and buy it now.
That evening Arun realised what a great sister he had. He also realised the importance of siblings, of
sharing, of family values. He went to her and apologised for his selfish behaviour, about every time
he used to avoid any work given by his sister.
That evening Sammy called him to meet at McDonalds. But Arun declined. He said he has better
things to do and would only meet him at the cricket ground tomorrow as he is going to buy a Cricket
set today.
Thus Arun limited his meetings with Sammy only till School and Cricket ground. Now he was also
able to save money just like Neha. He was determined that by his savings, he will soon be able to
help Neha buy a mobile phone of her choice.
Moral :
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