“You are short.” “You have curly hair along with wheatish complexion.” “No one likes you.” “You are nothing in front of me.” “You are only a book-worm.” A ten years old lad, Wasif grew up hearing this and many other sentences filled with sarcastic remarks, criticism, insult, and scorn. But he never took that all to his heart as he knew that Allah Almighty has created him with what is best for him. Except Wasif’s physical appearance, the only thing that made him superior to Sufyan was his intelligence. On the other hand, Sufyan was pretty interested in sports, he was an excellent footballer and hence the captain of school’s football team. Under his captaincy, the team won a number of competitions.
Wasif and Sufyan were cousins, who shared the same roof being the part of a joint family system. Wasif’s father was the younger brother of Sufyan’s father. Sufyan was just few months older than Wasif. Being the first child in the family, Sufyan was the lucky one to grab everyone’s attention. Their grandparents especially grandmother always gave priority to Sufyan over Wasif. It rarely happened that their grandmother appreciated Wasif either for securing first position in class or getting certificates for participating and winning various extra-curricular competitions. Wasif was told by his mother to suffer all that with patience as Allah has given him a good heart and made him a genius too and that was enough for Wasif to excel in life.
Years passed by, both Wasif and Sufyan after completing their Bachelor’s degree, got themselves enrolled in Master’s program. Being interested in computer since his childhood, Wasif had a desire to become Computer Software Engineer. Though Sufyan wanted to quit studies to focus more on football, he unenthusiastically took admission in Masters in English Literature as he just wanted to remain in level with Wasif. They held a stiff relationship throughout their lives.
After passing Master’s degree with flying colors, Wasif got a wonderful job offer in one of the leading multinational companies. Years efforts polished Sufyan as a great footballer thus he became a part of national football team. Both of them were satisfied with their lives and successes.
While bringing Sufyan out of the hospital on a wheelchair, Wasif was as shattered as stormy spray. Tears were there in his bright eyes that he was trying not to roll down to show how much hurt he was at that moment. Sufyan’s muscular strength, arrogant behavior, charming and confident personality and above all his pride, everything was ruined just due to the horrible accident that he met yesterday during a football match. He collided with the opposing goalkeeper. Due to that collision, Sufyan fell to the ground such hard that he lost his senses and hence was immediately taken to the hospital in emergency. It was really difficult for the loved ones of Sufyan to believe what the doctor was saying. “Due to severe damage to his spine, he would not be able to stand again throughout his life,” the doctor said despondently.
The strength on which Sufyan underestimated Wasif throughout his life, now became his ultimate weakness. Though it was too late, Sufyan learnt a lesson of not degrading anyone and never consider yourself superior to other or not to be proud on any of your strength that might be turned into weakness at any time by the will of Allah Almighty.