You are richer than you think

There was a bag lying on the table.

Annette and Clara were working that day.

“Whose bag is that?” I asked. Annette turned to see it. “It’s not mine. So it must be Clara’s” she said.

“It is a bag I got from a Canadian Bank" said Clara "Why do you ask?” 

“It says something so interesting – ‘You are richer than you think’ ” I said. “One could live a life with this kind of philosophy.”

Annette and Clara drew closer and looked at the bag.

“True. Sometimes we don’t realise how rich we are” Clara agreed “Not in terms of money but in terms of quality of life and precious moments.”

Annette remarked, “At least we are richer than the people affected by the typhoon in the Philippines.”

Clara said she was collecting useful things to send to those people.

“So what are you collecting? Clothes?” asked Annette.

“Yes, people have donated clothes and blankets” said Clara.

We thought about what else can be sent to those people who were stripped of their homes and their dignity.

Blankets, toiletries, toys, dried foods, and other personal and useful household items seemed to be a good choice.

“We have to be careful about the types of clothes we send. Thick winter coats and woollen blankets may not suit the tropical climate there” I suggested.

“There will be so many people around the world sending useful things” said Annette “Do you think the country is now capable of handling the logistics of such major shipments? It will make the economy sluggish. I think it’s best to send money.”

Clara said, “That’s right, but when people see the heart-breaking images on TV and other media, the first thing that comes to their mind is to send useful things.”

(When faced with a tragedy of such epical proportions, we witness the richness of people who help in cash and kind.
We are all richer than we think.)