З життя
Як жадібність затьмарила розум і зруйнувала життя
Як жадібність засліпила його та зруйнувала все
Ми були нерозлучні
З дитинства я був дуже близький зі своїм двоюрідним братом Романом.
Ми зростали разом, як брати, ділили радощі та біди, потрапляли у пригоди, вчилися, мріяли.
Коли його батьки розлучилися, і мати пішла до іншого чоловіка, Роман залишився з батьком.
Той пив, зриватиметься на синові, міг вдарити, принизити.
Я, хоч і був молодший, завжди за нього заступався.
Врешті-решт ми вдвох втекли від цього жаху – відремонтували старий горище в будинку його бабусі і поселилися там.
Це було наше укриття.
Ми думали, що тепер все буде тільки краще.
Але тоді я ще не знав, що жадібність може знищити людину.
Він заздрив навіть мені
Коли я вступив до університету, Роман вже працював.
Але, побачивши, що я будую своє життя, він теж вирішив переїхати до міста та залишитися поруч.
Ми знову жили разом, знову ділили все.
Я підробляв охоронцем, щоб оплачувати навчання, а він злився – мовляв, його не беруть на нормальну роботу, бо немає диплома.
Я просив його вчитися – навіть заочно, але він не хотів.
І почав заздрити.
Він став помічати, скільки у мене грошей, який одяг я купую, куди ходжу.
І всередині нього закипіла заздрість.
Жадібність штовхнула його на дно
Роман захотів мати стільки ж, скільки й я.
Але не навчанням і роботою.
Він зв’язався з місцевою бандою – ті займалися темними справами, але добре заробляли.
Я знав, що він розумів, що робить.
Але бажання бути кращим за мене і мати більше засліпило його.
І ось одного разу я купив машину.
Це була моя перша серйозна покупка, чесно зароблена.
Я запросив його за компанію – просто поїздити, подивитися.
Але він не зміг приховати лютість.
Я бачив ненависть в його очах.
Йому було нестерпно усвідомлювати, що я йду вперед, а він стоїть на місці.
Того ж дня він взяв кредит і купив розвалюху, яка не проїздила і місяця.
Він перетворився на людину, одержиму жадібністю.
Фінал був передбачуваний
Він перестав думати про друзів, родину, себе.
Йому потрібно було більше, більше, ще більше.
Він продавав дружбу, зраджував тих, хто його підтримував, сварився з ріднею.
Він бачив у людях не людей, а конкурентів.
Він зруйнував себе сам.
Тепер він зовсім один.
Один, як розбита машина, залишена на узбіччі.
Як гонщик, який не дійшов до фінішу.
Алчність все змітає.
Тільки ось наприкінці цієї гонки не буває переможців.
The Closest of Kin: A Heartwarming Family Story of Grandparents Anna and Paul, Their Three Wonderful Grandchildren, Home-Baked Treats, Maths Lessons, and the Unbreakable Bonds That Sustain Them Through Joys and Sorrows
Family Ties. A Story Funny, how life turns out. It could have all been so different. The neighbour, Mrs. Dawson,...
I Did a DNA Test and Instantly Regretted It I Had to Marry My Girlfriend After Finding Out She Was Pregnant. After Our Wedding, We Moved in With My Parents Because We Couldn’t Afford Our Own Place. Time Went By and I Became the Dad of a Wonderful Little Boy. Soon After, We Decided to Get a Mortgage and Start Our Own Family Home. After a While, My Wife Told Me She Was Pregnant Again, and That’s How Our Princess Anna Was Born. The Kids Grew Up Quickly, and Each Year I Noticed They Didn’t Look Like Me at All—not even a little. In Fact, Neither My Son nor My Daughter Looked Like Their Mum Either. Both Were Ginger with Freckles—Where Did That Come From in Our Family? The Thought Crossed My Mind to Take a Paternity Test. Maybe It Wasn’t the Brightest Idea, But I Needed to Be Sure the Kids Were Mine. I Took the Test. I Had to Wait Two Weeks for the Results. As Soon As They Called, I Rushed to the Lab. Thank God—It Turned Out I Was Their Dad. I Went Home and Hid the Documents So My Wife Wouldn’t Find Them. But Why Didn’t I Just Throw Them Away? I Paid for That Mistake. Just a Few Days Later, My Wife Threw Those Papers in My Face. She Caused Such an Uproar the Whole House Trembled. I Understand Why, But Surely There Was a More Peaceful Way to Handle It. She Couldn’t Forgive Me, and Now I’m Alone. Five Years Have Passed Since That Day, and She Still Won’t Let Me See the Kids. That’s How Simple Curiosity Stole the Most Precious Thing I Had—My Family. I Hope One Day She Can Forgive Me…
I remember those days as if they happened in another life. Back then, when I learned my sweetheart was expecting,...
Don’t Leave, Mum: An English Family Story
Common wisdom says you cant judge a book by its cover. But Barbara Smith thought that was nonsenseshe was sure...
A Grandson’s Request: An Uplifting Story of Trust, Family, and a Grandmother’s Unwavering Support
Request from my Grandson Gran, I need a favour. I really need some money. A lot. He came to me...
She Was Never Truly Alone: An Ordinary London Morning with Grandma Violet, Filly the Cat, and Loyal Gav the Dog
She Was Never Alone. A Simple Story A slow winter morning dawned over London. Out in the communal courtyard, caretakers...
No One Left to Talk To: A Story “Mum, what are you saying? How can you say you’ve got no one to talk to? I call you twice a day,” her daughter asked wearily. “No, sweetheart, that’s not what I meant,” Nina Anderson sighed sadly. “I just don’t have any friends or acquaintances left who are my age. From my time.” “Mum, don’t talk nonsense. You still have your school friend Irene. And honestly, you’re so modern and you look much younger than you are. Oh, Mum, what’s wrong?” her daughter fretted. “You know Irene has asthma; when she talks on the phone she starts coughing. And she lives all the way on the other side of the city. There were three of us friends, remember I told you? But Mary’s been gone for a long time. Yesterday, Tanya from the flat next door popped in. I made her a cuppa—she’s a lovely woman, often drops by. She even brought over some buns she’d baked for her family. She told me about her children and grandchildren. She’s got grandchildren, even though she’s about fifteen years younger than me. But her childhood, her memories—they’re so different from mine. I just long for a chat with peers, people like me,” Nina Anderson explained, though she realised perfectly well that her daughter wouldn’t understand. She was still young. Her time wasn’t gone—it was just outside the window. She didn’t yet yearn for memories. Sveta was wonderful and caring; it wasn’t about her. “Mum, I got us tickets for a night of classic ballads on Tuesday. Remember you wanted to go? No more sulking—put on your burgundy dress, you look stunning in it!” “All right, darling, everything’s fine. I don’t know what came over me, good night, we’ll speak tomorrow. Go to bed early—you hardly get any sleep,” Nina changed the subject. “Yes, Mum, goodnight. Bye,” and Svetlana hung up. Nina Anderson gazed silently at the glittering evening lights outside… Year Eleven, also spring. So many plans. It seemed so recent. Her friend Irene fancied Simon Mallory from their class. But Simon liked Nina. He’d call her every evening, invite her out. But Nina thought of him as just a friend—why raise his hopes? Later Simon left for the army. He came back, married, lived in Irene’s old house. Back then everyone had a landline. The number… Nina Anderson dialled the number from memory. The tone didn’t come at once—then someone picked up, there was rustling and then a quiet man’s voice: “Hello, I’m listening.” Maybe it’s too late? Why did I call? Maybe Simon doesn’t even remember me, or maybe it’s not him at all! “Good evening,” Nina’s voice rasped a little with nerves. There was more static on the line, then suddenly she heard an astonished voice: “Nina? Is that really you? Of course it is. I’d know your voice anywhere. How did you find me? I’m only here by chance….” “Simon, you recognised me!” A wave of joyful memories swept over Nina Anderson. No one had called her by her name for ages—just “mum”, “granny”, or “Mrs Anderson”. Well, except Irene. But just “Nina” sounded so wonderful, so fresh—as if the years hadn’t passed at all. “Nina, how are you? I’m so glad to hear from you.” Those words made her ridiculously happy. She’d feared he wouldn’t recognise her, or her call would be out of place. “Do you remember Year Eleven? When Simon and Victor took you and Irene out in that rowing boat? He’d blistered his hands on the oars and tried to hide it. Then we ate ice cream on the riverside while the music played,” Simon’s voice was soft and wistful. “Of course I remember!” Nina laughed joyfully, “And that class camping trip? We couldn’t get the tins open, we were so hungry!” “Oh yes,” Simon chuckled, “Then Victor opened them and we sang songs by the campfire. Do you remember? After that, I decided to learn the guitar.” “And did you?” Nina’s voice rang with youthful delight at all these shared memories. It was like Simon was reviving their happy past, recalling detail after detail. “So, how are things now?” Simon asked, but immediately answered himself, “Actually, I can tell from your voice you’re happy. Children, grandchildren? You still writing poems? I remember: ‘To dissolve into the night and be reborn by morning!’ So full of hope! You always were like sunshine, Nina! You bring warmth to everyone, no one could be cold around you. Your family’s so lucky—to have a mum and granny like you is pure gold.” “Oh, come off it, Simon, I’m long past that. My time’s over, I—” He interrupted. “Come on, you give out so much energy I think my phone’s about to melt! Just kidding. I don’t believe you’ve lost your zest for life—not a bit. That means your time isn’t over yet, Nina. So live—and be happy. The sun shines for you. And the breeze chases clouds across the sky for you. And the birds sing for you!” “Simon, you’re still such a romantic. What about you? I’m going on and on about myself…” But suddenly there was a crackle and the call cut out. Nina sat there, phone in hand. She wanted to ring back, but it was late—better not. Another time. What a wonderful chat they’d had—so many memories! The sudden ringtone made Nina jump. Her granddaughter. “Yes, Daisy, hello, I’m still up. What did Mum say? No, my mood’s fine. I’m going to a concert with Mum. Are you coming over tomorrow? Wonderful, see you then. Bye.” In an unexpectedly good mood, Nina Anderson went to bed, head full of plans. As she drifted off, she found herself composing lines for a new poem… In the morning, Nina decided to visit Irene. Just a few stops on the tram—she wasn’t a creaky old nag yet. Irene was delighted: “At last! You’ve been promising for ages. Ooh, is that an apricot tart? My favourite! Well, spill, what’s brought this on?” Irene coughed, pressing her hand to her chest, then waved Nina’s concern away. “It’s all right, new inhaler—I’m better. Come on, let’s have tea. Nina, you look younger somehow—come on, tell me!” “I don’t know—my fifth youth!” Nina laughed as she sliced the tart. “Yesterday I rang Simon Mallory by accident… remember your crush in Year Eleven? We got to reminiscing—I’d forgotten half of it. What’s up, Irene? Not another asthma attack?” Irene sat pale and silent, then whispered: “Nina, you didn’t know? Simon passed away a year ago. He lived in another part of town—he moved from that old place ages ago.” “You must be joking! How? Who was I talking to? He remembered everything about our school days. My mood was terrible before talking to him. But after we spoke, I felt life was carrying on—that I still had strength, and joy for living… How could it be?” Nina couldn’t believe Simon was gone. “But I heard his voice. He said such beautiful things: ‘The sun shines for you. And the breeze chases clouds across the sky for you. And the birds sing for you!’” Irene shook her head, sceptical of her friend’s story. Then she surprised Nina by saying: “Nina, I don’t know how, but it really does sound like it was him. His words, his style. Simon loved you. I think he wanted to support you… from the other side. And it looks like he did. I haven’t seen you so happy and full of energy for ages. One day, someone will piece your tattered heart back together. And you’ll finally remember—what it feels like to be… simply happy.”
No one to even have a chat with. A Reminiscence “Mother, honestly, what are you talking about? How can you...
I Will Always Be With You, Mum: A True-to-Life Story of Love, Loss, and Miracles in an English Village
I shall always be with you, Mother. A story one could believe in Grandma Dorothy could hardly wait for the...
My Daughter-in-Law’s Phone Ringtone Made Me Rethink Helping My Son’s Young Family Find a Home
The ringtone on my daughter-in-laws phone made me reconsider helping the young family find a flat I live alone in...