In a beautiful town in Bihar state in India, there lived a very rich man named Galib. He possessed a lot of wonderful wealth that God had granted him, so he lived in luxury and richness like no other. Galib used to always boast of his wealth and what he possessed in front of his friends and relatives.
He often spoke arrogantly and proudly to everyone. His son Komal was studying at that time in a place far from Bihar state. During the mid-year holiday vacation, Komal returned to his home to spend the holiday with his family. The rich father wanted his son to know the size of his wealth and make him realize that their life is the pinnacle of luxury and comfort, unlike the poor who always suffer.
The father planned to visit the town with his son to show him the poverty they live in in that town, which of course is contrary to their luxurious life. The father went out early in the morning one day with his son on a long trip to the town that lasted two days.
The father was very happy throughout the trip because his son was very quiet, watching the poor people in the city, and seeing them treating the rich with respect and appreciation. The son saw how they live in poverty and want, unlike the luxurious life he lives with his father. The father wanted by this to clarify to his son the extent of wealth and blessings he provides for him.
After the father and son returned from the trip, the father asked his son and said: My son, how was the trip? Did you enjoy it? His son Komal replied: Yes, father, my trip was wonderful in your company. The father’s face brightened, and he said to him: Tell me then, what did you learn from the trip?
The son Komal remained silent for some time thinking. The father broke his silence, saying: Finally, my dear Komal, you realized how the poor suffer and how their life is? And you realized how we live in a luxurious life that we must preserve so that it continues.
The son Komal looked at his father, saying: This is not what I learned, father. But what I learned is that we have only two dogs, and these poor people have ten dogs. Also, we have a large water pond in our garden, but they have a huge endless bay. Father, we have expensive, very costly lights imported from different countries of the world, but they have countless stars that illuminate their warm nights.
I learned, father, that we have a house on one piece of land surrounded by high walls, but they have abundant fields that extend beyond sight. Father, we have servants, but they serve themselves. I learned, father, that the wall surrounding our house is strong and huge, and they of course do not own one like it, but their relationship with each other is stronger than iron and their solidarity is stronger than money.
We, father, buy our food from them and from others, so they are the rich, not us, because they eat what their hands plant. The father was surprised after hearing his son’s responses and remained silent and amazed at what he had said. Finally, the son added to his speech: Thank you truly, father, for this lesson that taught me who is the poor among us and who is the rich?
Your vision of wealth differs completely from mine. Money, father, is a means, not an end. True wealth is not measured by the money and properties we have, but in friendship, compassion, and good relationships that you share with others.
The story is translated from: Sons heart touching reply to father