Once upon a time, in a small town lived a young boy named Hamza. Hamza belonged to a well-off family which was famous for their lavish and extravagant lifestyle. He grew up surrounded by material possessions that he believed defined his worth. Unfortunately, this upbringing had left an indelible mark on his character, and he harboured a deep disdain for those less fortunate than himself.

On the other hand, Hamza’s uncle, Rashid, was not as wealthy as they were, but he was a humble farmer who toiled day and night to make ends meet. He lived a simple life, content with the bounties of nature and the joy that came from hard work in a small village near the town. Rashid loved his nephew and hoped that one day Hamza would understand the value of compassion and kindness.

When it was time for summer vacation, Hamza’s father decided to send him to his uncle’s place to spend some days there, hoping that the experience of rural life would instil some humility in the boy’s heart.

Unwillingly, Hamza arrived at his uncle’s farm. His eyes narrowed in disgust at the vivid sight of modest houses and humble surroundings. His uncle’s house was made of bricks painted unevenly with different colours. It was a big house, but there was hardly any nice furniture or luxuries. He could not fathom why anyone would choose such a life when they could live in grandeur.

Reluctantly, Hamza settled into the routine of village life. Each day, he observed his uncle’s diligent efforts, the sweat dripping from his brows as he tilled the land, and the tender care he gave to his crops. Hamza’s heart remained untouched by the honest toil of his uncle and the simple life of the villagers. Instead, he allowed his prejudice to blind him to the beauty that lay in the simplicity of his soundings. But it was not really his fault, it was the privileged life he was bestowed with since the day he was born that made him so prejudice.

Days passed, but Rashid’s kindness never wavered. He patiently answered Hamza’s questions about farming, sharing his wisdom and love for the land. The young boy, in his ignorance, dismissed Rashid’s words as the ramblings of an inferior mind. Hamza’s thoughts were clouded by arrogance, preventing him from seeing the genuine love his uncle had for him.

One day, a devastating storm swept through all the crops surrounding the village including Rashid’s. For the first time in life, Hamza, witnessing the devastation, felt a pang of sympathy for his uncle and for the poor villagers. However, oncemore his pride overshadowed any genuine concern he might have had.

Some more days passed, Hamza’s father offered help, but Rashid refused as he was an honest, hardworking man and he relied only on his hard work. Soon Rashid’s savings began to dwindle. The once flourishing farm now lay barren, the liveliness was prevailed by gloominess, and he struggled to provide for himself and his nephew. So he thought he should send Hamza back to his house, however, Hamza, witnessing his uncle’s plight and guilt gnawed at his heart, and a sense of responsibility stirred within him. So he refused to go back, and told his uncle that he would stay there to help him.

Determined to make amends, Hamza approached Rashid one evening, and admitted his arrogance and confessed to his loathing of poor people, including his own uncle. Rashid listened to him patiently, he understood the struggle that had consumed his nephew’s heart and saw this as a turning point.

Rashid embraced Hamza and forgave him wholeheartedly. It was also the time when the government initiated a programme to distribute food and necessities to the devastated villagers and needed volunteers for that. He saw this as an opportunity to teach Hamza the true value of life, unblemished by material wealth. So, together they ventured into the village, seeking out those in need and offering their assistance.

Hamza discovered a profound sense of purpose in helping others. They spent their days distributing food, clothing and comfort to the impoverished villagers. Hamza’s heart swelled with gratitude as he witnessed the smiles and tears of joy from those they helped. The true essence of humanity revealed itself to him, illuminating a path he had never seen before. By the end of summer vacation, Hamza was also transformed from a haughty to a humble fellow.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 8th, 2023