Kishan’s Gift of Integrity 🎂🧧

Kishan always wanted to buy something special for his mother since her birthday was just two weeks away. He received RM 2 as his daily school allowance and carefully saved a portion each day while making sure he had enough for his expenses.

That night, he took out his piggy bank, poured out the coins and notes, and began counting. After calculating, he sighed in frustration. He was short by RM 20.

The next day, while playing at the playground, he noticed a bundle of RM 50 notes lying on the ground. It looked like there was about RM 300 in total. His heart started racing. "Finders keepers," he thought, trying to reason with himself. Without a second thought, he quickly folded the money and stuffed it into his pocket.

Later that evening, after saying his prayers, he recalled his grandfather’s words. "You should never take what does not belong to you." A wave of guilt washed over him. He felt ashamed of what he had done and decided to return it to whoever had lost it.

The next day, he went back to the playground and sat near the tree where he had found the money, hoping someone would come looking for it. But no one showed up. The second day passed, and still, no one came. On the third day, he began to think that maybe he should just keep it. As the thought crossed his mind, his grandfather’s words echoed once again. He felt guilty.

Just then, he noticed an elderly woman walking slowly, glancing around as if she was searching for something. He wondered if she was looking for the money but hesitated. What if she was searching for something else? He decided to wait. As she passed by, he overheard her speaking on the phone.

"Are you sure Mickey lost it at the playground?"

Kishan’s heart skipped a beat. Mickey. Could she be talking about the money?

Clearing his throat, he spoke up. "Excuse me, Madam. Have you lost something? I can help you."

The woman adjusted her glasses and looked at him. "Yes, it is my grandson, Mickey. I gave him money for his birthday, but he lost it somewhere here. He is heartbroken because he was saving up for his favorite school bag and shoes."

"Oh, how much did he lose?" Kishan asked, wanting to be sure.

"Around RM 300, I think," she replied.

Without hesitation, Kishan reached into his pocket, pulled out the bundle, and handed it to her. "I found this three days ago and have been waiting here, hoping to return it. I am so glad you are here."

The woman’s face lit up with relief. "Oh, thank goodness. I must be lucky to meet such a kind and honest young man. You have such a generous heart."

Kishan smiled shyly. "My grandpa always told me never to take what does not belong to me."

The woman nodded warmly. "He must be a wise man. Please thank him for teaching you honesty." She gave Kishan a warm hug before placing the money safely in her bag. Then, she pulled out RM 20 and handed it to him.

"This is for you, a small token of appreciation for your honesty."

Kishan was overjoyed. "Grandpa was right. Honesty truly pays." He accepted the money with shy gratitude, his face breaking into a wide smile.

Now, at last, he had enough to buy a perfect birthday gift, a red saree for his mother.

The next day, he went to the shop he had been eyeing for weeks. He carefully picked out the saree, feeling a sense of pride as he placed it on the counter. As the shopkeeper wrapped it, Kishan could not stop smiling, thinking about how happy his mother would be.

On her birthday, he eagerly handed her the gift. She unwrapped it and gasped in surprise. "This is beautiful, Kishan. How did you manage to get this?"

"I saved up my allowance," he said proudly, then hesitated before continuing. "Actually... I was short by RM 20, but something happened."

His mother gave him a curious look. "What do you mean?"

Kishan took a deep breath and told her everything about the money he found, how he waited for three days, the struggle in his mind, and finally, how he returned it to the old woman and her grandson.

When he finished, his mother gave him a funny look, then smiled and pulled him into a tight hug.

"That is my boy," she said, holding him close. "I am so proud of you."

Kishan grinned, feeling warm inside. He had not just given his mother a gift and he had given her a reason to be proud.