Mili’s wealth

Mili had to work after her school hours. She lived with her ailing mother and younger siblings in a small town. Her mother, a widow, had been managing the household on the meagre savings left by her late husband. Now, Mili being the eldest and about to be eighteen had to take over, with her mother’s health declining and her siblings too young to help. She was barely out of high school managing to make ends meet with a low-paying job and the constant medical expenses. She would give music lessons in the evenings for some extra income.

The week had just started and the last two days Mali got sick and had not gone for work. That day when she sat with her younger brothers, they were happy to see Mili at home around them. One of the siblings then asked if she will not go for work to which Mili explained how she was tired and sick and taken time off. Meekly the little one said” That means today we do not have anything to eat if you do not go out” Hearing this Mili felt so depressed and hapless. Though tired Mili went out for her evening work. That evening she took only two classes and when she entered the second house there was another woman sitting next to her young student whom she taught to play piano. She started her class  and that woman patiently waited while enjoying her music. Afterwards she approached Mili and asked her if she could come down to her house as well and play music every evening.  Mili said she would ask her mother and let her know.  While walking back home Mili thought that although it would be a stretch into the night for her with an additional class he really needed more money, it would ease her daily struggle to bring food to the table.

The next evening Mili gave her siblings their evening meal, hot soup and medicines to her mother and was about to leave, when suddenly a car came by. And this woman she had met yesterday stepped out and knocked at Mili’s house. Mili’s mother got the door and ushered this woman inside. The woman entered in the dimly lit sparsely house and was given an almost broken stool to sit on. While Mali excused herself inside to prepare black coffee for her this guest sat back and spoke to Mili’s mother softly. She appeared humble and interacted lovingly with all. She told she had come to try to persuade her for music class and to pick Mili to her house if she agreed.  That she understood Milis talents as well as her struggles.  She told Mili’s mother that she would be able to pay Mili handsomely and can also pay for her classes so that Mili can continue her education. The sick mother was checking out this very rich woman as she sipped the coffee with no disdain for them or their poorly house. This made the mother feel at ease that Mili would be treated well and perhaps the new job will ease some of the burden of finance on the young shoulders.

The lady left with Mili soon. Mili entered their house and looked on like deer with headlights, how rich some people could be! She had to climb two sets of stairs and walk  inside to one of the rooms to meet this woman’s daughter. Mili was surprised as she walked and took notice of their opulence but equally appalled to find her daughter was bound to a wheelchair and looked pale and sick. “You just have to come to our house and play music to my daughter, she loves music” the woman told Mili putting a hand around her daughter.  “With her cancer and chemotherapy, she is unable to continue her singing and is now very dependant. It was hard for young Mili to understand such a contrasting life, she was feeling sad for this girl who was almost her own age. The rich and comfortable life of this girl did not mean anything in her handicapped self. Mili started her session with the daughter, and this continued for a few days. The woman noticed that her daughter was smiling. Her daughter liked the company of Mili and even the little interactions between the two young girls felt like music to the woman’s ears. She would give food and books and clothing as gifts for Mili to take home every day to her siblings. Mili also felt a big change and great help in taking care for her home and family.  She witnessed that in their life, this rich woman and her daughter had everything but lacked something they probably could never build back. Mili remembered her father’s words, health meant so much more than wealth. She had understood one important lesson early-on her life and her regrets felt less bothersome now. Her mother was relieved her children were able to have a few days of food and thanked in her prayers and the grace even if it were temporary.