Grumblers’ club

As the New Year started, a well-wisher suggested me to enjoy life as it comes and never grumble on petty issues.

At first I couldn’t realise why he told me so. But when I took a look at my surroundings, I realised many people keep whining about paltry things. There are people who would always find a reason or two to crib about.

That very night when we went out for dinner, I found the person sitting on a nearby table grumbling about delayed service. When the food was served he complained about serving it cold. When the waiter brought fresh items, the customer started shouting at him for serving it too hot. When the waiter apologised, he said OK, but kept grumbling.

I can recall one of our former neighbours, who always used to come to my house and complain, “You all have so much fun having an outing. And look at my luck. I cannot go out as my husband is always busy.”

The other day she came to my home and again cried on her luck. “Yesterday, on a holiday, my husband took me to a mall, instead of taking rest. I got too tired walking all around,” she said.

She paid a visit again to our house and cried, “You know what? My husband offered a trip to the park. But when we visited it was so crowded that there was no place to sit. I was very upset.”

I was surprised after listening to her story. She had always cried that she has no chance of going out and now when she is getting the chances, she complains about that too.

But she is not alone. I cannot forget a girl who used to travel in the same school bus as I. Because of her complaining nature, once we decided not to involve her in our group. She started complaining about ignoring her.

When we started talking to her, she said, “Can’t you people keep quiet. Is it important for you to talk?”

And if we stayed silent, she would not leave that opportunity too and would say, “Why are you silent?”

I sometimes wonder that why can’t people be satisfied and enjoy what they get. They should realise that cribbing won’t make much difference.

(Published in The Gulf Today on January 11, 2014)  

Watch out for ...

Since 2013 was a wonderful year for me, I welcomed the New Year with high expectations. With hope that the year 2014 will bring me even better opportunities, I joined my relatives in the New Year celebration.

As the fireworks started to mark the arrival of 2014, I got surprised. There were many beautiful New Year gifts for me. But my favourite among them was the charming watch from my parents. I liked it a lot. It was also important because I know nothing is more precious than time. I was so pleased with it that I wore it right there and didn’t take it out even when I went to bed.

And then we stepped ahead into the time. Next morning, we came together again as we were going for the picnic which was organised as a part of the New Year celebration. My cousins and I went all the way enjoying the trip to the picnic spot in the desert. We had a lot of fun.

As the day kept advancing ahead, we got more and more immersed into the activities. It was an amazing day.

As I woke up the next day, and went to wear my beautiful watch, I found it missing. I searched each and every corner of the house but couldn’t find it. My favourite gift was lost. I realised that it must have fallen in the desert while playing. I felt sad. My happiness was short-lived.

But I realised that although the watch is gone, it has taught me a wonderful lesson — we must watch out for our belongings, our acts and our words too.

(Published in The Gulf Today on January 1, 2014)