In one city there lived a man who did everything for show. He loved being envied. He spent large sums of money on his wardrobe solely so that those around him would gasp with envy. He constantly bought the latest gadget releases, even ones he didn't actually need. At home he had accumulated quite a few outdated models of mobile phones, PCs, and tablets. They had gone out of fashion and that was the only reason he didn't use them.
All complexes, as is known, have their roots in childhood. Our hero grew up in a poor family. His parents worked multiple jobs and tried to give their children the very best. But the family was large. Money was constantly in short supply. Often the children wore hand-me-downs from their older brothers and sisters. And our main character was the youngest in the family, and it was he who most often had to wear old things.
At school he was mocked because of this. So he firmly decided for himself that he would achieve success in life and never again be the subject of ridicule.
And that's what happened. He worked tirelessly: finished school with straight A's, entered a good university and graduated with distinction, and then found himself a well-paid job. But everything he earned, he essentially spent on unnecessary things.
He didn't help his parents and older brothers and sisters, although he had the means to do so. He was ashamed of his poor relatives. And when they asked him for help, he increasingly refused them.
A few years ago our hero met a wonderful girl. She was not only beautiful, but also well-brought-up — a true princess. It was not shameful to be seen with her in public. Everyone envied him, because meeting such a girl is truly a great rarity.
8 March was approaching and our character decided to throw a celebration, and not just any celebration, but one that would make everyone envy him again. On that very day he decided to propose to his girl and ask her to become his wife. He bought a very beautiful and expensive ring for her.
Everything was ready for the celebration: a large number of guests were invited, a large banquet hall was prepared. And so the guests began to arrive. His girlfriend appeared as well. Before proposing to her, he decided to talk to her about it so that everything would look perfect. But the girl spoke first.
I can't be with you anymore. Forgive me.
But why? I wanted to propose to you today. Look at the ring I bought. Everyone will gasp with envy.
That's the problem...
I don't understand.
You're obsessed with self-admiration. You only do things that people could envy you for. And as for the fact that you turned your back on your family, I don't even want to remember that. What if you become ashamed of me too, and then you'll abandon me as well?
She turned around and, without saying another word, left. And then our hero felt as if he'd been doused with cold water. And the girl was right. In pursuit of self-admiration he had hurt everyone he could. Without waiting for the end of the festive evening, he went home.
There he gathered all his gadgets and went to his relatives. He threw himself at his parents' feet and begged their forgiveness. He gave all his gadgets to his brothers and sisters and their children. That was the gift he gave for 8 March: the family was reunited.
Of course, his relatives forgave him. And the whole family lived again in peace and harmony. Our hero stopped wastefully spending his earned money. He gave part of his money to his parents and kept the rest for himself. But he began to spend it more thoughtfully.
One day on the street he ran into his former girlfriend. They decided to go to a café. As they talked, the girl immediately noticed that her former boyfriend had changed greatly, both outwardly and inwardly. They began to see each other again, and soon they married. And they all lived happily.
Don't do things for show. And being ashamed of your loved ones is even more shameful.
