The Illusion of Perfection

One sunny morning, Ramesh (45, government clerk, a little worried) and Suresh (46, businessman, always cheerful) were drinking tea near their garden wall.

Discussion over Tea

Ramesh: (Takes a deep breath and looks toward the neighbor's house opposite, where his wife, Shalini, is watering the plants.) Hey Suresh, tell me something.

Suresh: (Sipping tea, smiling) Yes, my friend, tell me. Did your file get stuck somewhere, or did the house demand paneer instead of dal-rice?

Ramesh: (Softly) Oh no, work and home will continue. Tell me this... Why do you look at other people's wives so much?

Suresh: (Laughing) Hey! What kind of obsession have you started this morning? You're looking at Shalini Bhabhi, right?

Ramesh: (Embarrassed) Yes, I mean, I see. So energetic, always smiling, so clean. My wife, Kavita, starts yelling as soon as the morning comes—"Where's the milk? Have you paid the bill? Drop the kids off to school!"

Suresh: (Puts down his tea cup) So, you see the off-screen side of Kavita Bhabhi, and the on-screen side of Shalini Bhabhi!

Ramesh: (Frowns) What do you mean?

Suresh: Look, you see Shalini Bhabhi when she's busy with her work. She's away, so you don't see her tiredness, her anger, or her minor flaws. You only see an 'ideal' image.

Ramesh: Yes, that's true. She never screams.

Suresh: (Smiles) She doesn't scream in front of you.  And listen, when you get home, your wife, Kavita, opens up to you about her day's responsibilities and worries, because you're her own. She doesn't need to be 'perfect' in front of you. She shows you her true self, tired, worried, but trusting.

Ramesh: (Thinking) Hmm, that means I'm not looking at her 'hard work', but at her 'decoration'.

Suresh: Exactly! That's what they say: the food on a neighbor's plate always tastes better. It's not necessarily tastier, we just smell it from a distance. If you were to actually stay at Shalini Bhabhi's house 24 hours a day, you might realize that she too has her own "where's the milk!" moments.

Ramesh: (Smiling) Wow, Suresh, you've given me a great lesson this morning. In fact, we forget to value our things because they're always with us.

Suresh: This is life, my friend! Now go make Kavita Bhabhi a cup of hot tea. Watch her anger vanish in an instant.

Ramesh: (happily) You're right! Now I understand where true peace and belonging lie. Thank you, friend!

Moral : -  This story tells us that we often find attraction in distant things because we are unaware of their problems and challenges. What we have brings, along with its problems, also brings deep love and belonging.

Read more : -  The Key to Purification