THE OTHER GUY'S TOY

LEARNING

Watching kids play is one among my numerous schools where I learn the basic human mindset, how even over the years we rarely change in the mind and the never ending demand for more (as if Oliver Twist was ever satisfied).

So I was watching three kids share a bicycle, they took turns and the fastest rider to reach a pole they had set earlier gets another turn before the other goes and were very happy for almost thirty minutes. Then this other kid came with his brand new bike and that very moment I knew who owned the bike. I was watching because he was instantly deserted and I saw loneliness and rage overwhelm him instantly. The other kids left to another playground as the new bike owner beckoned. That gave me room to chat with Fred, the eleven year old 'loner' whose answer to my "who is the guy with the new bike?" became the sermon in the field. Ike was his friend until recently when he took Fred's bike and had the breaks slacked, they had a little fight and did not say hello to each other for almost a month since the incident despite the fact that they are in the same class and just two houses away from each other, he had the rumors that Ike was getting his own bike but he did not think it was going to happen because he felt Ike's parents who are petty traders cannot afford that luxury, and with five other children, getting a bike for Ike cannot possibly be on the 'high priority list' of the family. Fred on the other hand is the first son of a factory owner, his two elder sisters are in the university, his younger brother has his own bike and as we spoke, he said he was going to ask his dad to get him a brand new bike just like the one Ike have and possibly bigger, it is going to be better than everybody's bike in the neighborhood. I listened to the plans this little kid has up his sleeves (I was amazed at how crafty an eleven year old can be). His "new, bigger and better" bike is coming at all cost, he was going to manipulate his way and it must happen within the next three days or no one will rest. First he must make sure his current bike gets faulty beyond repair, then he will 'fall ill' and finally get the attention, then a new bike will be his recovering gift. He said "Uncle don't tell anyone please, even when I will 'fall ill'", after laughing hard for about two minutes, I asked what was wrong with his own bike, to which he replied nothing, he simply suddenly needed a new one. That gave me the 'pulpit' for my own 'sermon', I explained to him that the quality of his seemingly old bike is far superior to that of Ike, I even told him that his own will outlive the new fancy one and I pointed out some features for him that are on his bike that are lacking on his rival's bike, I went on to explain the dynamics and technicalities involved in making bikes (I know he will not understand now but it is good he sees the inputs and importance given in making his bike), before I got to 'benediction' he shouted "Uncle so Ike's bike is fake and my own is original?". I was trying to explain further but before I could say a word, he was already some feet away paddling hard towards where Ike and the other guys were. Something inside me wanted to follow him (invisibly though) so I could witness the 'show off' but I decided to stay back with my imaginations. 

I thought of many things after that and I felt sorry for myself because I realized how, just like Fred, I used to lay out elaborate plans (without minding the price and consequences) on how to get a 'toy' bigger and better than that of the 'other guy' without realizing that all the while I've had a superior quality 'toy' with much more technicalities and engineering input than what everybody has. I did not even consider the other guys that do not have any toy in the first place, yet they are the ones that make having a 'toy' worthwhile because even with his bike, Fred was lonely and angry, no one to share it with. I thought to myself, "what will they possibly be laying elaborate plans for?". 'Toys' come and go, 'flashier' ones at that, I have seen what my 'toy' is made up of and what is lacking in the 'new flashy toy', I am also happy for the guy with the other 'new toy' because I know he got it because of me. Do you know the worth of yours or do you still want the other guy's toy?. If only we can be thankful for our 'toys'...

#STAYFOCUSED.