Once there lived a boy named Hadi. Hadi belonged to a middle-class family. Hadi was a good-looking and bright teenager, but he was also a bit self-obsessed and became easily jealous of others.

He had a best friend named Ayan, who was rich, smart, caring and brave. The two boys were very close to each other, as they were best friends since childhood. Ayan moved abroad with his parents for a few years, but the two boys kept in touch. When Ayan finally returned, Hadi was happy and he even made Ayan join his school.

The two friends were together all the time and were as close as brothers. However, Hadi always felt inferior to Ayan because of the difference in their financial status. Hadi wanted the lavish lifestyle that Ayan had, but he never told his friend about it.

Hadi would have huge fights with his parents because he wanted the grand lifestyle that Ayan had. His parents tried their best to provide well for Hadi, but it was never enough for him and he didn’t understand their struggles. Hadi’s parents did extra work to pay the fees of Hadi’s school, but Hadi was ungrateful and thankless.

Once during break time in school, Hadi noticed that Ayan was upset. Hadi asked him the reason, Ayan didn’t answer. Hadi kept asking him and finally Ayan got frustrated and answered, “First you have to promise me that you will not tell this to anyone.”

Hadi replied, “Okay! Relax, I won’t tell anything to anyone, Ayan! I am your best friend, we both trust each other and we tell all our secrets to each other without hesitating. So why are you acting like this?”

Ayan said, “Well, you know I am so attached to my mum. Last week she went to New York for some business work and she will return in a few months’ time. It’s been just a week, but it feels like a month. I miss her so much. I used to spend my time with her. She makes my day, I wish she could come back soon.”

“Come on friend, you shouldn’t feel lonely. After all, you have so many toys to play with and also the latest PlayStation. How can you feel down with so many luxuries around you?” Hadi reasoned.

Listening to Hadi, Ayan explained, “Hadi! You are a really nice person, but you have to understand that money can’t buy you happiness. Even extremely wealthy people have their own set of concerns, like anxiety about their children, uncertainty over their relationships and the fear of isolation. Take my case, as I told you I am upset because my mum isn’t with me right now, although I have all the gadgets and money I need, what I want is my mum, not money because money can’t buy happiness.”

On hearing this, Hadi felt so embarrassed and he realised that a lavish life comes with a price tag. In Ayan’s case, it was loneliness due to his parents’ busy schedule.

Hadi learned a lesson that money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you comfortable while you’re feeling miserable.

Hadi went to his parents and said sorry to them, and he thanked them for everything they did for him. He changed his mind set and promised himself to never feel inferior or jealous, and always be thankful for whatever he gets.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 26th, 2021