Sibling Expectations
a plot for short story
He empathized deeply with their hardships and wanted to help. On the other hand, he had responsibilities of his own now — a spouse, children to raise, and a household to manage. His resources were limited, and he knew that if he stretched himself too thin, he risked destabilizing his own family.
John’s journey from poverty to the middle class was a testament to his determination and hard work. He had grown up watching his parents struggle to make ends meet, and he swore he would create a better life for himself and his future family. Through sheer perseverance, John managed to secure a good job that provided stability and a comfortable income.
However, with this newfound success came a different set of challenges. John’s siblings and relatives, who had always looked up to him as a beacon of hope, now saw him as their ticket out of poverty. They expected him to solve their financial problems, just as he had solved his own. They believed that his success was not just his own, but also theirs to share.
John felt torn. On the one hand, he understood their struggles because he had lived through them himself. He empathized deeply with their hardships and wanted to help. On the other hand, he had responsibilities of his own now — a spouse, children to raise, and a household to manage. His resources were limited, and he knew that if he stretched himself too thin, he risked destabilizing his own family.
The pressure from his siblings and relatives mounted with each passing day. They could not comprehend why John couldn’t give more, why he couldn’t solve all their problems with his newfound wealth. Their resentment grew, and their once-close relationships strained under the weight of unmet expectations.
John found himself increasingly isolated. He longed for understanding, for his family to see the sacrifices he made every day. He worked overtime, took on extra projects, and even considered taking out loans to help his siblings start businesses or pay for their children’s education. But no matter how much he gave, it was never enough.
The conflict gnawed at John’s spirit. He felt guilty for not doing more, yet he knew deep down that he couldn’t jeopardize his own family’s well-being. He tried to explain this to his siblings and relatives, but his words fell on deaf ears. They accused him of selfishness, of forgetting where he came from now that he had climbed the social ladder.
John’s health began to suffer under the stress. He lost weight, had trouble sleeping, and often found himself staring blankly at spreadsheets at work, unable to concentrate. The weight of his responsibilities — both to his immediate family and to his extended family — was crushing.
One evening, while sitting alone in his study, John came across a quote by Francis Bacon: “Money is like muck, not good except it be spread.” The words vibrated deep within him. He realized that while he couldn’t solve all of his siblings’ and relatives’ problems, he could still find ways to support them emotionally and morally. He could listen to their struggles, offer advice when possible, and encourage them to persevere.
John also resolved to communicate more openly with his own family about the challenges they faced. Together with his spouse, they devised a plan to set boundaries while still extending a helping hand whenever feasible. They organized family gatherings where they could discuss financial literacy and goal-setting, hoping to empower their loved ones to make their own strides towards financial stability.
As time passed, John found a renewed sense of purpose. While the tensions with his siblings and relatives didn’t vanish overnight, they gradually began to understand his perspective. They appreciated his efforts to guide them towards self-sufficiency rather than dependency.
