As the dream of almost every parent, ‘Sameer’ acquired a degree in Software Engineer and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When he arrived in USA, it was as if a dream had come true for him.
Here at last he was in a place where he always wanted to be. He decided that he would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time he would earn enough money to settle down in India.
His father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
He wanted to do some thing more than him. But sooner he started feeling homesickness and lonely as the time passed. After 2 years, he decided to get married. Told his parents that he has only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all his friends back home. If he miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home he did spent one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter he was forced to select one candidate.
In-laws told him, to his surprise, that he would have to get married in 2-3 days only, as he will not get anymore holidays in near future to come back to the country again. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to his parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, he returned to USA.
His wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling his home country increased twice in a week, sometimes 3 times a week. His savings started diminishing. After two more years they started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to them by the Almighty. Every time he spoke to his parents, they asked him to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.
Every year they decided to visit their country. But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting their own home was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day he got a message that his parents were seriously sick. He tried his hard but he couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not visit his parents. The next message he got was his parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights, the society members had done whatever they could do. He was extremely depressed. His parents had passed away without seeing their grand children — Aah …!
After couple more years passed away, much to his children’s dislike and his wife’s joy they returned to their country to settle down. He started to look for a suitable property, but to his dismay his savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. He had to return to the USA.
His wife refused to come back with him and his children refused to stay in their father’s home country. His 2 children and he returned back to USA after promising his wife that he would be coming back for good after two years.
Time passed by, his daughter decided to get married to a citizen in USA and his son was happy living in USA only. He decided that had enough now and will wound-up every thing and will return to his own country. He had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.
Now he is 60 years old and the only time he goes out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. His faithful wife has also left him and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes he wondered was it worth all this? His father, even after staying in their home country, had a house to his name and he too have the same as of now, nothing more than that.
He lost his parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window he sees a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled the new generation and the children are losing their values and culture because of it. He get occasional cards from his children asking if he is alright.
Now perhaps after he will die, it will be the neighbors again who will be performing his last rights, God Bless them! But the question still remains the same – ‘was all this worth just for an extra bedroom flat finally?’
He is still searching for an answer…………….!!!!
Special thanks to Pawan Kumar for submitting this story!
There is a lot of generalization done here and the guy in the story seems extremely stupid. He chose a life that he failed to adapt to, did not plan his life out, got married when he wasn’t ready, had children when he wasn’t ready and to top it off, he’s blaming the television for his extreme stupidity and bad choices in life. Honestly, get a life, look into your heart and soul and do what you think is right – and do not regret your decision. It makes no sense in trying to guilt-trip a person into staying with his/her parents – that is not the way to do it. You have one life – live it. The guy here chose a company with a ridiculous leave policy – these are the things you need to check before you sign that letter of employment. It’s good to visualize 5 years’ worth of effort translating into money, but use your sense of judgment and think what your plans are, really. And lastly, do not propagate the misplaced agenda of “stay in the country for your parents” – you must not stay cuz you *have to*, stay if you *want to* and only if you truly *want to*. Your parents are not going to be happy when they know you have stayed back only because of them – they want you to succeed as much as you want to. Live you life, do it wisely and learn from Sameer’s unacceptable mistakes and lack of judgment.
The above story may be ficticious. But it just guides us wat we really need. Theres a lot of debate on this story . Someone saying its heart touching and sumone saying its crap. I am not here to make any judgement. I just wanted to say does it really worth 2 stay away from ur parents ur country ur friends your beloved ones and most imp ur own life. Life in USA is full of challenges, you will find only proffesionals there but no frienz. You earn in $ but u also need to spend in $$$. You can drive big cars but no real frenz to hang out with, neither ur parents or beloved ones. I am now in US, but within 3 months I am realizing that I was more happier when I was in INDIA, whever i want i could go my hometown. Chap in tea stall with my frenz. No tension at office as we r not onshore folks tat time. Can spend 1 h in lunch with frenz at office . I really miss em badly. Yes I am planning to go back soon and pursue my real dreams. Now I know onsite is just myth. I can earn 30 K in India but I can live kingsize dere rather getting in $$ and living a slaves life. Thanks everyone !!!!!!!
Family is important than money. If love is their in the family even they can live happily without roof.
We all have big dreams yet always remember that we are so lucky that we have our own family and they are teh ones who will with you thru thick and thin…they will support you and luv you for what you are and for ups and downs..be thankful that we have parents, spouse and children..we work hard for them, to give them the best that we could offer and we are not slaves of money rather we take control of it and we dont let the moeny control us…just be happy and be thankful to God…it is a good day yet you are blind that you are not able to see it!! Go is working in your lyf and in your family’s life as well…praise God and kneel and ask for forgiveness because we’ve been boastful, greedy, jealous and envious….life is short and simple..learn to be appreciative of simple things…we don’t notice that we have the most precious give ever that money cannot buy!!! God is good..always be a blessings to others!!
It is an inspirational story about a man looking for more money. And we must know that we have to sacrifice so many valuable things in order to grab more and more money. Money is seriously evil. So be happy with what you have. You can make money easily but remember that you can loose it easily at the same time.
Correct Guys…
We generally do not value of our family, loved ones and our present time, but the irony is that important of someone/real-precious things in life gets realized when we have either already lost it or starts loosing it.
Many thanks for your valuable comments and liking this story.
Regards
Pawan Kumar
A very meaningful story that illustrates the real value of enjoyment with family. Its presenting that sometimes small celebrations with our loved ones’ are more valuable than the big pleasures in alone.
Everyone should value the gifts of GOD i.e. is family, time and a healthy body because all these are priceless.
Heart touching… and reality…
This story is to be dedicated to all the people who go behind money then knowing the value of relationship. I love my country and my parents. I need nothing more then my parents love and blessing…. thanks Mr.pawan for lovely story hatts off….
Great story. But the real problem in India is parents want their children to settle abroad and ultimately suffers the pain and agony of loneliness.
It’s a wonderful story… thanks for giving a good message to all…
Touched !!!
GOOD ONE…… I feel that whether you are in india or in US the entire thing depends on your potential. You should be capable of balaning the situation.
Because his dream was earning the money, within 2 years he would have earned enough money and still he could have somehow managed for one more year and worked very hard.. It is his mistake that he felt lonel and he found marriage was the solution for it this is where he deviated himself from his goal.
Sorry if i am wrong but i just aired my views…….
The story is extremely good, something to learn from.
The story is heart-touching!
It’s a heart touching story!! We must learn a lesson from it…
A lovely story with an old message… as you sow, so shall you reap…
Hard work is rewarded everywhere, but one must decide the priorities of his life, you need to lose something to gain other. Everyone wants to be successful but definition of success is different for every one this story inspires us to decide our definition.
Really heart touching story