Buying an hour of daddy’s time | Motivational Stories
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Buying an hour of daddy’s time

The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

“Daddy, may I ask you a question?

“Yeah, sure, what is it?” – replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”

“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” – the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” – pleaded the little boy.

“If you must know, I make $20 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10 please?”

The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.

“Are you asleep son?” – he asked

“No daddy, I’m awake.” – replied the boy

“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier.” – said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10 you asked for.”

The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” – he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” – the father grumbled.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.” – the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”

The father was crushed and he put his arms around his little son.

Author Unknown

It’s just a short reminder to all of us working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $20 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

{ 35 comments… add one }
  • Ebenezer November 3, 2022, 3:59 am

    Beautiful story

  • Noel Halley June 11, 2022, 7:10 pm

    Beautiful story

  • Hasan bashir July 17, 2021, 6:17 pm

    Very touching, it relates to us all who works very hard & prioritise our work instead of our family.

  • Siddhi Gautam DESALE....... June 28, 2021, 6:12 am

    This I have spoken in my class my TEACHER was impressed so much ….and when I read this story I was crying …… I DON’T know this story is real or imagined but any one who had made that person is such a good person…….
    THANK You for inspiration………

  • Jazlyn April 28, 2015, 5:18 pm

    I’m crying!!?

  • GinoTao April 11, 2015, 9:56 pm

    Nice story, nothing is important but the family

  • Michael September 19, 2014, 11:25 am

    It is a nice story

  • Yusluv 0latunji August 13, 2014, 7:32 pm

    Waoo So Fantastic I Love It

  • Prakash Kshetri July 17, 2014, 11:13 am

    Yes…… its really an inspiring story in the life of parents……….

  • Mopli swami June 26, 2014, 8:44 am

    Great sense of Wisdom

  • Raghs_HeartBroke December 31, 2013, 5:24 am

    Tears in eyes 🙁

  • Dyan September 5, 2013, 1:27 am

    Even though I don’t have kids and I’m not a parent.. but I can feel it.. the moment that kid told to back home early.. this story makes my tears came out even in front of every body else..and I can’t even control it..

  • Anurag ku July 29, 2013, 5:25 am

    So sweet…!!!!

  • William July 1, 2013, 5:13 am

    Very true, we have to set apart little time for our beloved.

  • Jegan June 20, 2013, 10:57 am

    If no money..no dinner. if no dinner..no relation. Logic of story nice but basic of life not so.

  • Samradnyee June 10, 2013, 10:06 am

    The child’s so sweet!!!

  • Jerome June 10, 2013, 3:00 am

    I like this much..thank you..

  • Ellen Lope May 11, 2013, 1:29 am

    Super touching story! Indeed, time spent with kids/family is time well spent. Material things doesn’t count, it is the parents presence and the quality time that matters most. Good memories instilled in our children’s heart and mind are precious than gold and it will last forever!

  • Zungusnoh April 28, 2013, 11:31 pm

    Nice story’s… Thanks for sharing.

  • Ranjith April 15, 2013, 11:33 am

    I can easily associate me with the child in this story since I used to ask my mother (a doctor) and my father (a businessman) to spend time with me during my childhood.

  • Surya Jyothi April 9, 2013, 10:59 am

    Nice story

  • Vipin April 6, 2013, 3:41 pm

    It’s true… We can’t deny our kids, what our parents had gifted us aplenty…….TIME…..

  • Anh April 2, 2013, 2:21 pm

    I cried every time I read your stories. Thanks.

  • Dinxy Daniel March 26, 2013, 1:37 pm

    Wow!!! I love that….

  • Sandeep Mahe March 26, 2013, 2:03 am

    Everyone at every stage of their life keeps learning. Very inspirational story.

  • Mmalolo March 25, 2013, 5:50 pm

    Can’t control my tears!

  • Radhey March 25, 2013, 6:57 am

    A family that sits together, eats together and prays together … That family Stays together!

  • Prabhjeet March 25, 2013, 6:45 am

    We know the value of our dear one when we don’t find them. We should live with them each & every moment.

  • Trey March 25, 2013, 4:33 am

    I love all your stories, they always teach us a lesson <3<3

  • Bijoydas March 25, 2013, 12:50 am

    I feel like to cry after reading this story.

  • Aayesha.M March 24, 2013, 11:12 pm

    Everyday going home back is the best part of the day, and getting something or other to the family members dont wast your time in anyways just think someone is waiting for you in your home with lots of love.

  • Rozy March 24, 2013, 1:04 pm

    Time is money. For our dear ones, a little bit of time given by us is valuable more than money.

  • Bhupendra March 24, 2013, 12:56 pm

    How can we give so much importance to our work by avoiding some one else who is close to our heart.

  • Jasper March 24, 2013, 11:39 am

    Brought tears to my eyes….

  • Davis March 24, 2013, 9:31 am

    Very inspirational

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