As she walked down the street to her home, Asma thought about what her teacher had said in the class two hours ago. Miss Kiran was a pure-hearted and soft-spoken teacher, who contributed to her noble subject, philosophy, a lot even though it was a very unusual subject, rarely taught in other schools. She had the mystical power to maintain the serenity of her classroom without resorting to a loud pitch. Nobody dared to interrupt her. Her classes were filled with fascination, meaning and warmth.

Today, she explained the things we were missing in our lives.

“As we all know,” she had said, “the advancement of technology has made it hard to find the true meaning of life. Even living a life of luxury, having a big house and car, or servants crawling at your feet, cannot help you much in this matter. Why have a big house with lots of rooms and servants when you still have disputes, when you still have weak bonds, no love among your family members and little care for your religion? Why have a branded phone when you are drawing away from your religion, seeing inappropriate stuff and damaging your health?

“The true meaning of life is always easy to speak about, but difficult to actually find yourself. I doubt that you will remember life’s true meaning if I tell you about it, unless you discover it yourself. My homework for today is to find the true meaning of life and write it down neatly,” she finished, just as the bell rang.

Asma was lost in thoughts when she opened her front door. After saying “Salam” to her family members, she headed towards her room. After having a delicious lunch of her mother’s signature biryani, Asma went to her.

“Ammi, what is the meaning of life?” she inquired. Ammi looked perplexed.

“Well, dear, the true meaning of life is what makes you happy and content. It gives you pleasure and fulfilment, it’s the same feeling when you get straight As in your exams. But it is more than that. It is a pure act, done simply with a greater, more meaningful purpose. Got that?” Ammi explained.

“Yes Ammi, but what’s the meaning of my life?” Asma asked.

Ammi replied, “Beta, it can be anything, as long as it makes you feel content and happy, and fills you with the sense that you did the right thing.”

Inspired by Ammi’s thoughtful words, Asma wandered to the living room, where her grandparents sat. The hectic life of their beloved sixth-grade granddaughter left little time to talk with her. She sat between Dadi and Dada and told them about her day at school. They smiled and laughed, excitement twinkling in the aged eyes.

Asma suddenly felt as if someone had pierced an injection needle filled with happiness into her. She felt warmth, love and contentment spread to her toes. She smiled; she had found her meaning in life. But she needed more, enough to write it down.

“Ammi, can I go to the bakery?” Asma asked her mother in the evening.

“Of course, beta,” said Ammi.

Asma took her purse and headed outside. In her town, a famous bakery was serving a delicious lava cup cake. The soft chocolate sponge was thick and filled with delicious chocolate. It was large, but cost Rs 600 per cake. She had decided to buy that with her pocket money, along with some red velvet cupcakes, vanilla macaroons and gooey chocolate cookies that she loved. She had a hefty amount in her purse for that. She knew these delicious items are going to make her very happy.

As she came near the bakery, she saw an old couple. They might be as old as her grandparents’ age. They were shivering uncontrollably, since it was the chilly month of January. The man placed his arms around his wife tightly in a bid to keep her warm. Their torn clothes and aged faces, nevertheless, showed love.

Asma’s heart melted. She stared at her purse. What could this amount of 1600 rupees mean to her when she would use it, she asked herself. Nothing, she supposed, except a brief moment of enjoyment. But it could mean a few days of comfort from hunger to the old couple.

She swiftly moved towards them and politely said to them, “Assalamoalaikum, uncle and aunty! I want you to accept this tiny gift from me.” When she was handing the money to them, their tattered faces bloomed with flowers of joy. They profusely thanked her again and again. She was filled with joy seeing their happy faces.

On reaching home, she pulled out a pink coloured paper. In her best cursive writing, she wrote:

“My life-changing hunt for my true meaning of life has been a truly pure experience. I learnt that it’s a pure act, done with simplicity just to feel pleasure, contentment and joy. My meaning in life is the strengthening of bonds with my loved ones and helping the needy by sacrificing my wants. Such an act has brought me profound pleasure and warmth. I will remember this forever.”

Asma then decorated it with delicate felt tip roses and elegant green sepals. She showed it to Ammi who nodded proudly and said, “That’s my girl!”

When Asma grew up and became a successful businesswoman, she never forgot the meaning of life that she had discovered on that cold winter day. She always followed it and cherished it.

The true meaning of life lies in simplicity, charity and cherished bonds, not in luxury or in fulfilling our impulsive wants.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 8th, 2025