The Real Happiness

Simmi was roaming sadly near the river bank. An old man wearing a royal robe and a crown came to her and asked. . . "What happened child? Why do you look sad?"

How can she reveal her problem in front of a stranger? But he was a very elderly person and Simmi felt that she should respect him and shouldn't deny. . .  

Simmi kept her silence for a moment. . . Looking at her dwindling state of mind, that man told her to sit beside him on the sand and asked her again to tell the matter to him so that he could help her, if possible. . .  

"Actually baba(old men were addressed as 'baba' by everyone in their village)", Simmi said," I want a bicycle but my parents are unwilling to get it for me. They say that I will get it when I will grow up. . . But not now. Why baba?? Why I can't get the thing I want? "

The old man smiled and replied. . " Simmi. . . Always getting wishes true is not at all good. . . Haven't you heard about King Midas?? He was so fond of gold that he got a boon. . . Do you know?"

Simmi looked in askance. . . Baba continued. . . "King Midas was blessed with the boon that whatever he touches will turn into gold. He was very happy to see everything turning in shining dazzling gold around him. But the problem arose when he wanted to have food. . . He had to starve as when he touched the food, it also turned into gold. And as a very bad luck his loving daughter, Marigold came running to hug her father. . . But. . !! She also turned to a golden statue as the king touched her. . !!"

Simmi was now very worried for the king "Oh my God. . !! What happened then?"She queried. . .

"Simmi", baba replied in a soft voice. . . "See the child. . . The King's greed for gold was the cause of his suffering. . . He had to starve and repent a lot for this. Then he was freed from this boon that had become a curse for him. . !! So child. . . It's never advised to hanker for something too much. . !!Your parents deny to give you bicycle now because they are worried for your safety. You are too small to ride it now. Wait till they fulfill your wish and when they will gift a bicycle to you with their own pleasure; child you will be happier than now. . . "

Simmi now understood everything. She thanked baba for guiding her. But she asked him how he could know all about the king. . . Baba smiled and began to walk. . . and said. . . "I'm here to guide everyone to be away from any greed. . . As I'm King Midas dear child. . !!"

Simmi was left spellbound. . . But now she knows what real happiness is.. !!

©Preetika Mishra

6th November, 2020