Club 99
This is a small story some of you might have heard. I heard it in Marathi on AIR Pune.
The story is like this..
Once upon a time, there was a mighty king, who was very courageous and prosperous. In this palace, there was a masonry worker that used to work very hard whole day in all seasons. In spite, he used to be very happy and was enjoying his work.
The king noticed this man and one day he asked him “You do this much hard work everyday and I am sure you must be getting very less money. Even then why are you looking so happy?” The worker replied calmly “Maharaj, why should I be sad for? I am getting enough money to run my family. I have house and good family who is happy. Therefore, I am happy.”
The king allowed him to go, but he was not very satisfied with the answer. He called his minister and asked him the same question. He added that he is not convinced with the answer given by worker and he wants to know the real reason.
The minister was clever. He said “Maharaj, I know the reason for his happiness. He is happy because he is not member of Club 99.”
King got more puzzled. He said “What this club is about and how come I don’t know about this? You are trying to get away with my question. Now, you prove it or consider that your job is gone”.
Minister said “Sir, please give me 99 gold coins and I will prove it to you”.
King arranged 99 gold coins. On the same night, minister arranged to put the bag with 99 coins in front of the worker’s house”.
Early morning when the worker saw this bag, he brought that inside and checked it. His eyes were wide open when he saw gold coins. He counted them and found 99 only. He counted them again and again and still he found it 99. He then searched his house and was trying to find out 100th gold coin. He was little annoyed and anxious due to this. He went out and searched all area near his house, but still could not find the coin. That’s it! He was more restless.
From that day onwards, he started working overtime and tried to earn more that his regular income to purchase one gold coin to make complete 100 gold coins. Due to this his health suffered. He use to worry about this income and started looking sad.
After a month, Minister shown this to the king and he explained the story. The king got the answer and he thanked the minister to find the real answer about reason of happiness.
Friends, I found this story such a eye opener. I use to believe always that destination is not important journey is what counts. We all know this, but how many of us follow this in real life. We want each and everything in life. There is no end to our wish list.
We got top class in graduation, we want to do masters. When we get campus hired, we want big position. We want own house. Those who have one, the want second and third house. And so on and on..
Those who have TV, they want LCD, who have LCD they want Projector. Where will it stop?
We all know and agree that money can not get happiness, otherwise each Ambani or Birla would be a happy man. They may be happy but not all of them. In fact, having something is a reason for sadness that what if I lose it?
Another thing, I found the reason of sadness is “knowing that you are missing something”. For example, you are watching a live and interesting cricket match and during the break you change the channel and found that one of the rare movies which you were waiting from long time is being screened. You will not be able to enjoy cricket also and neither you will be able to watch movie. You will wish that, I should have not changed the channel. The moment you come to know that you realize missing something, your happiness turns to sadness.
Imagine, you meet your old friend and in discussion you find that with same experience as of yours he is getting double the package. You will feel like you are being exploited by your employer from so many years. Sometimes, it may be true but the moment you realize this, your search will start.
Having lot of money and using it will give you comfort. But, I think we should mark boundary well in advance else it will make us member of club 99.
Imagine you have 1000s of Songs in your PC/iPhone but if you are busy with work and not able to listen to it then what is the use?
Same if you have all best books in your shelf but you haven’t read even preface of many of them.
From other view, if someone gets opportunity to read more books or listening to what he likes, this can we say he/she is happy? Someone gets chance to visit entire world, seeing many places, will that make him/her happy?
Someone like our grandmother, who spent her entire in one village and enjoyed whatever she has done, can you not call her happy?
I think irrespective of what you are doing and wherever you are the feeling of “content” is the moment of happiness. And picking (not earning) such more and more moments will make life happy.
In above thought, still I feel there is something missing. The true happiness or joy will be in making others happy. If you can help other person laugh or reduce their pain will give you satisfaction beyond money. This does not mean that you earn more and more money to give donations! Giving is not just giving your money. Giving your time is the biggest thing, I would say.
I am trying to go to that direction but as very common human being, I am pulled in other direction. I am sure all of you are in same boat.
Sanjay Sonar 16-Jan-2012
