“Go and get the veggies from the market!”
Yep, that was my mom giving me orders. In our society, the thing which is passed over to generations is that boys will do the outside work and girls will do the house work. Well- who was I to challenge that stereotype? I had tried my best to counter that norm but had failed. So, I had agreed with the current norm and did all the work that was assigned to me.
Well, I took the list from my mom and went outside. The chilly wind struck me, but I kept on walking. I couldn’t turn back or I would be killed and chopped to small pieces (Not literally, but every mom is like that!)
When I reached the marketplace, I asked for the items in the list. The shopkeeper grumbled and got off his chair. He began to search for the respected stuff. He was a young chap and looked innocent. He took out all the items with a smile and started to keep them on the counter.When all the items were placed, I began to check them. Again, it was another habit inculcated in me by my parents. They thought that the shopkeepers always try to give old items or ask for more money than the total so they can gain more profit.
When I had done checking them and totaling the amount in my brain, I asked the shopkeeper for the total he had arrived to. It was the same. I was happy at the truthfulness and gave him a note of denomination 500.
When the shopkeeper gave me back the change- I counted it. It was 50 more than the change I was meant to get back. A battle began to rage in my mind. Should I give back the money to the shopkeeper or take it with me.
A distant memory arose in my mind. It was a time when I had gone to buy groceries with my mom. It had happened back then too. The grocer had given my mom 20 bucks extra than the desired change. My mom had silently kept the change back, said thanks to the grocer and ushered me out.
When we came out, I asked my mom why she did that and didn’t return the extra cash. She had replied that the shopkeepers buy the goods for less and sell them at a higher amount, therefore it wouldn’t do them much harm if they lose 20 bucks.
I had replied in protest that they had to live a living too. My mom shushed me and we went back to home in silence. When we reached home she said that I was to follow the same thing when possible.
Now when I was facing the same situation, I didn’t have the heart to do it, so I said that the shopkeeper had given me more money than intended. When I handed back the 50 bucks, he smiled gratefully and gave me a chocolate. He said that it was a survey going on- and I was to first person to return the 50 bucks. He said I was an honest chap and had to maintain this quality.
I went back home with a huge smile plastered to my face. When my mom asked the secret behind that smile, I told her truthfully. She smiled and hugged me. She said I was to live as I wish and she was proud of me. In short, truth is the best way out of a situation!
This post is for a competition. The video: