Paru Tales – Thank You for Saying “No”

GRATITUDE. It is one of the most powerful words in the world. Gratitude makes a difference. It drives compassion. It teaches us to be thankful for what we receive in life. And when used in the right spirit, it can work wonders.

A short story on gratitude, of Paru.

Paru was a young mother to a six-month-old baby when her husband lost his job. Despite endless attempts, he could not find employment that could support the family. Paru, though a graduate, felt helpless and frustrated. She wanted to support her family but did not know how.

One day, when she asked her mother-in-law for help to buy some essentials for the baby, the response was sharp and painful:
 “Sell your jewellery and buy what you want.”

It was a blow to Paru’s heart. But that was also the moment she decided to step up and take responsibility. She resolved to find a job and support her family herself. For Paru, this was not just survival, it was strength. A woman’s strength often lies in her ability to find opportunities hidden within adversities.

Soon enough, Paru managed to secure a job. With her income, she could now afford the necessities for her baby and her household. Instead of resenting her mother-in-law’s rejection, Paru chose to be grateful. That “no” became the turning point in her life. Had she received easy support, she might have remained dejected, sitting at home and brooding over her destiny.

Gratitude, Paru realized, doesn’t always come in the form of kindness or support. Sometimes, it arrives through rejection, failure, or pain, unknown corners of life that shape us.

We must be thankful not only for our successes but also for our failures. For they are often our greatest teachers. Gratitude must extend to God, our parents, our teachers, and to every circumstance that helps us survive and grow.

A simple thank you is not just a magical phrase. It is a feeling. An essence of good living.