In my father's funeral a birthday party flashes in my head.
It was a birthday party. I don't remember whose birthday was it but I know what happened. I was a kid . Not so sure but let's say 8 years. I was there with all my friends and their parents. We were playing games and lots of other things like other kids. Then it was time to cut cakes. Birthday girl was center of attraction and was going to cut the cake. But , according to our tradition before the cake celebration, there was that game started. This game was our first time being part of it. Every one from red religion had to follow and organize this game. In this game all of the kids were arranged in circulation and gifts were kept at the center . As the whistle was blown, kids had to snatch the gift as much as possible. Kids with highest number of gifts was the winner of the game and highest number of points.
As the rules, me and my friends were happy to take part in this game. All of the parents were watching us playing the game. Gifts were brought and kept in center of all kids including me. Before the game started I already won the game. Confused????
A Girl that was standing beside me was my precious and pretty gift. Before the game started I stand along just watching her. She was cute and very beautiful that I could even not blink my eyes for a second.
After some time whistle was blown and the game was started. Everyone started to snatch as much gift they can collect. Finally, even being slow I started to take gift but only some of them were remained. Only three of gifts were remained in center and i took all of them. That beautiful girl, yes she couldn't even get one of it and would be ashamed if she was empty. Not if there was another person , I would have give my gifts to her. So , after everyone taking enough gifts for them, I had the last three gifts that were remained. I took them and after a minute I realised she didn't got any chance to take even one gift, I said,
Ryan: I want to share my gifts . Will you take some of mine.
Then she said : But it is not fair and against the rules.
Ryan : No, Its all right, This is enough for me you can take some.
Then I gave her mine gifts.
Ryan : I can still give you half of mine . It will make us equal. .
So, I opened the gift. It was a chocolate and shared its half with her .
Then she said : Thank you . Why are you helping me?
Ryan : Its nothing. I just wanted you..
Suddenly whistle gets blown and time stops.
All of the parents starts praising their kids : Look at my child . How clever they are. They took all the gifts they can and left other behind. I am proud of my child. They have won this game. Almost half of the gifts are with our child.Our childrens collected the most points and we are proud . All of the others are equal to losers.
Ryan and some of the other kids were ashamed as they could collect only some of the leftovers.
After all the program finished. I said,
Ryan : I couldn't collect many gifts because everyone were pushing each other like animals. If we had played nicely everyone would have equal gifts.
My father smiled at me and said,
Ryan's father: Ryan, you're right. You can say they have won the game, but you won my heart. All of the parents are happy for their kids for their victory, but I am the most happiest person right now. Maybe your friends have won maximum points by collecting the highest amount of gift but you are the one with highest points. Other parents are giving their children a tiltle of being smart, clever and winner. But, Ryan you are the smartest one. You are the one who shared his gift . You are the winner. Other kids are taught to be clever and smart when they are fully aware of their parents teaching. But for me, sharing is the smartest thing. All the other things taught to us in our religion are all selfishness. I liked when you acted selfless. These child are not taught to be smart but to be selfish. I am happy that you helped your friends.
These were some of Ryan's old memories with his father that kept flowing in his head in funeral day.