The Real Meaning of Happiness

Not very far from my house

Some poor kids would live,

In the parking of a temple

With just a smile to give

 

Whenever they saw a car

They would come towards it,

For money, clothes or food

Hoping for a bit

 

So when we went to the temple

On a sweet serene evening,

And pulled up our car

A poor girl came running

 

She was dressed in rags

No shoes in her feet,

Her dry hair blew

As she ran down the street

 

We all felt sorry

Looking at her condition,

My mom brought out a bag

Full of clothes for donation

 

She took out a pretty frock

A beautiful, dazzling white,

The girl was so amazed

That she couldn’t move her sight

 

To give it to the girl

When my mom leaned in

I pulled it from one side

And refused to give in

 

I agreed I had outgrown it

But it was my favorite one

My mom tried to explain me

But I couldn’t get done

 

I didn’t want my dress

To be given away like that,

Tears rolled down my eyes

I couldn’t digest that fact

 

Finally my mom convinced me

And gave the dress to her,

As she wore it joyously

I slowly wiped my tear

 

We gave her a pair of shoes

And she wore them with delight,

She felt so good herself

Her smile and eyes were bright

 

Overcome with happiness

She was dancing on the spot

And quite unexpectedly

I had a change of heart

 

Suddenly all my sadness

And cries faded away,

Looking at her laughing

Was the best part of my day

 

And then I understood

That by making her smile

I'd learnt something great

At the young age of five

 

I arrived at a conclusion

That in this world of living,

Doesn’t matter what we get

For true joy lies in giving

 

When we went inside the temple

Still thinking about the dress,

I thanked god for teaching me

The real meaning of happiness.