Happiness

This week is our fifth anniversary. It seems appropriate to write love stories.

One day, Plato asked Socrates what love was.

Socrates said, “Go across this field, and pick the biggest and best ear of wheat. Remember one thing. You cannot go back and have only one chance.”

After a long time, Plato came back with nothing. Socrates asked what happened.

“I once saw some big and nice wheat, but wondered if better ones were yet to come. So I just passed by, but the later ones were not better than before. Thus I had nothing at last.”

Socrates said this was love.

The other day, Plato asked Socrates what marriage was.

Socrates said, “Go across this forest, cut down and bring back the thickest and solidest tree. Remember, you cannot go back and have only one chance.”

This time, Plato brought back a tree that was good but not very tall or solid. Socrates asked him why.

“I saw many good trees on my way. This time, I learnt from the past and just chose a good one. Though this one was not the best, I was afraid I would get nothing again if I did not do so.”

Socrates said this was marriage.

Some days later, Plato asked Socrates what happiness was.

Socrates said, “Go across this field and pick the most beautiful flower. Remember, you cannot go back and have only one chance.”

Plato did so and came back with a fairly pretty flower.

Socrates asked him whether this was the most beautiful one.

Plato answered, “I saw this flower, thought this was the most beautiful one and picked it. Even though I saw many beautiful ones afterwards, I still believed this was the most beautiful one. So I brought it back.”

Socrates said this was happiness.

The story did not stop here.

My wife asked, “Do you dare say you agree with the story?”

“Yes,” I replied, “but I always have beginner’s luck, and have already found happiness.”