What I learned from my Office Gardner ?
It’s a true story of a gardener but has life lessons for everybody chasing endless desires.
My first interaction with Sahreef(my factory Gardner) was in my office when he came to water the plant kept inside my office. He respectfully asked my permission to enter the office and then traditionally greeted me, did his job, and left for other offices. I found him very humble and down-to-earth. One day I asked Shareef about his family. He replied with contentment that all were fine at home. He told me how he used to manage his kitchen and other home expenses for his wife and four kids with just a $ 125 per month salary?
He told me further that he has three daughters and wanted all his children to get a good education as much as possible.
He further told me that at the time of his wedding, he didn’t ask for a single penny from his father-in-law as a dowry. He brought his wife home in two dresses and arranged a small dinner for the family. He never wanted to make the wedding a burden for a girl’s family.
When I asked him whether he needed anything or if I could be of his support anywhere. He smiled and refused the offer with gratification. He had a strong belief in God and his hard-working nature. He said we had a stove with one head. Due to this I and the kids used to leave home with some delay in the morning for school or the factory because my wife had to cook breakfast and tea separately. I had promised my wife that with this year’s bonus I would gift her a two-head stove that I fulfilled. He replied with contentment with his efforts and thanked God for his blessings. He added that I never begged in front of anyone for my basic needs. I always rely on myself and ask for God. I always get what I wish for, there is nothing in my mind to request from anyone. I and wife saved some money and managed to buy our bedroom furniture on our own. My utmost priority now is to give adequate education to my kids especially to my daughters so that they can live in this world in a much better way and raise their kids with good manners.
Shareef left my office after performing his duty but this short discussion raised many questions in my mind. I concluded this in a way that money is not everything. You can perceive situations in different ways that could be good or worse depending upon you. We should not make ourselves slaves to our desires but rather show contentment in front of God. We will feel blessed than many others in the world.
If you liked the story of Shareef then let me know in the comments. I will share your feedback with him.
