“THE BALLOON AN EXPENSIVE PLEASURE”
“Where you witness different treatments of life”
It was a warm, sunny day — the kind that summoned families to the park to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Tiny Luan pulled grabbed his mother’s hand, gazing at the vibrant balloons floating in the wind with wide, excited eyes.
“Mum, may I please have a balloon? Please?” he jumped up and down in a plea. The excited kid was met with a nice grin by the elderly gentleman selling balloons.
With a worried expression on her face, Isabella, Luan’s mother, bit her lip. Her husband had lost his work a few months prior, and they were struggling to make ends meet. One tiny luxury they could hardly afford was a balloon.
“Honey, I have no idea. We need to be frugal with our expenditures right now since balloons are expensive,” she remarked softly.
Luan’s little shoulders slumped in sadness as his face plummeted. But would you please, Mommy? Only a single little balloon?” His lower lip trembling, he begged.
Observing the child’s discomfort, the balloon salesman intervened. “I’ll tell you what, young man. What if I gave you a balloon as a gift? I would be sorry to see such a kind guy return home sad.”
Isabella shook her head sadly, while her heart was filled with thanks for the vendor’s goodwill. Though it’s really generous of you, I’m not one to take a free balloon. Luan has to learn the value of money and that sometimes sacrificing our desires is necessary.”
Tears flooded Luan’s eyes as he pulled more firmly on Isabella’s hand. “Please, mother? Just once,” he pleaded.
Isabella, torn, knelt at Luan’s level. “I apologize, my love. We don’t have the money for a balloon right now, but I know you really want one. Would you mind trying again at a later time?”
Luan’s mouth quivered and he started crying, sobbing uncontrollably. With a pounding heart for the youngster, the balloon dealer observed the scenario. After taking a brief look around, he swiftly took a balloon and put it into Luan’s palm.
“You’re done, young man. I hope you enjoy,” he winked.
Luan’s eyes brightened with happiness as he held the balloon and watched it bob in the air, and his tears quickly dried. With horror, Isabella’s eyes became wide, and she carefully removed the balloon from Luan’s fingers.
“No, I cannot accept it. It’s not right,” she murmured in a tremulous voice.
“Please, ma’am. All it is a balloon. The merchant begged, “I can’t bear to see the little guy so upset.”
But Isabella would not move. “Thank you for your generosity, but I refuse to accept charity. Luan, hurry up. We’re returning home.”
With a crumpled face, Luan started crying once again as his mother guided him out of sight, leaving the bewildered and grieving vendor in her wake. It was a tragic sight that demonstrated the hardships faced by those who are on the verge of poverty and are compelled to deny their kids even the tiniest joys.
