289th story

He lay exhausted and drained in a corner, so worn out from endless work and running around that he didn’t even have the strength to stay awake. Before falling asleep, he thought:

Once upon a time, he lived more easily—drinking his tea with less worry, doing his work with less anxiety, sleeping with fewer troubles. How did it come to this, that all these burdens were piled on his shoulders and dragged him into this state?

How did he throw himself into the heart of the struggle, declaring: You must fight. You must survive. You must succeed?!!!

Before sleep overtook him from sheer fatigue, he told himself:

I’ve fallen into this path, and I’m forced to continue. At any heavy price, I’ll reach my goal. But those who envy my possessions and achievements don’t know the suffering and misery I’ve endured and still endure!

They haven’t seen these days of falling short, this exhaustion, this anxiety, this despair… They haven’t seen me struggling deep inside overwhelming problems and gruelling work, while they live carefree—travelling when they wish, enjoying their leisure at the right time, not even knowing where the realm of constant stress, worry, and sorrow begins!

He went on to say:

If only, beside every achievement, the heavy price of reaching it could be pinned as well. Because there are still those who think achieving goals and great successes is nothing at all!

As if you simply desire it, make up your mind, and then someone conveniently appears to hand it to you on a silver platter!!!