Maha was in grade nine and a position-holder of her class. She was not only good in her studies, but also good at gymnastics. Maha was intelligent, smart and kind-hearted. Her parents were proud of her and she was well-liked by everyone in her family and friends’ circle.

A new family shifted to their neighbourhood and they had a daughter named Esha, who was the same age as Maha. Soon Maha and Esha became friends because they also studied in the same class and had common interests.

Esha was a genius student and was generally a nice person, but often she would become a little aggressive and arrogant. Esha’s family were very rich and she was rather proud of being so rich. It was no wonder that Esha had a huge ego and it often showed itself in her behaviour.

When Maha and Esha started to hang out together, Maha noticed Esha’s tendency to show off her wealth and lifestyle.

Maha also noticed, in the first week of their friendship, that Esha mocked and judged her classmates who were not rich and she would show off her expensive stationary and other things to everyone. When her parents bought a new car, she sent the picture of the car in the group chat of her class.

Esha also made it a point to bring expensive jewellery, make-up, bags and even a cell phone, which was not allowed, to the school. This behaviour annoyed her classmates and they start calling her “Miss Ego”.

Maha warned Esha many times that she should stop making fun of others, but she never listened.

Maha decided to break her friendship with Esha because she was an arrogant person. When Esha got to know that Maha did not want to be friends with her anymore, she got mad and started mocking Maha too.

This further frustrated Maha, so she decided to go to Esha’s house and talk to her parents about this. Esha’s parents listened to Maha and they felt ashamed about their daughter’s behaviour. They told Maha that they were sorry on behalf of their daughter, for doing all the stupid things which Esha did. They then called Esha and made her sit with them and explained how unacceptable her arrogant behaviour is.

Her parents said, “Look, you should not do this. It is not a good habit to make your classmates or friends feel bad by showing off your wealth to them or making them feel inferior. Your wealth is not something that you achieved, you have it because your family has it. What will you do if the wealth you are so proud of, is taken away tomorrow?

“Allah does not like those who are arrogant. Today this money is with you, who knows tomorrow you may not have all this wealth. Indeed, money does not stay with you forever, but good friends remain with us forever. May Allah guide you. If you continue with this behaviour, you will lose your friends and your money will not help you get real friends.”

After hearing this, Esha was ashamed of her behaviour and she apologised to her parents and friends, and promised that she would never behave in an arrogant manner again and will not show off.

After observing Esha’s changed behaviour, Maha decided to be friends with Esha again and this time their bonding was much deeper and better. Maha was happy to see Esha’s better version.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 21st, 2021