Episode 65: The Cousin’s Car — When a Child Learns the Cost of Comparison Early
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 31 Aug 2025
🎭 Pride in a Rusty Bell
Rehan was just 11, a Class 6 student from a modest family in Varanasi. His father, Zakir, worked as a tailor, known for his precise stitching and respectful greetings. His mother, Shahana, was a homemaker who gave tuitions to neighbourhood girls in the evenings.
Rehan’s school was a 2.5 km ride from home. Every morning, he rode his old Hero cycle — the kind with a rusted bell, a squeaky chain, and a steel carrier that wobbled slightly. He didn’t mind. It was his father’s first big gift after saving ₹200 each month for 15 months.
But things changed one weekend.
It was his cousin Aryan’s birthday in Lucknow. Aryan was the son of Zakir’s elder brother, Nadeem, a well-settled businessman dealing in auto parts. They were the “NRI-type family,” as neighbors called them — imported perfumes, leather jackets, and two SUVs in the porch.
Rehan wore his best shirt — a white half-sleeve with a little embroidery — and a borrowed tie from his neighbour. As they entered the house, he noticed the guests whispering about their arrival on a rented auto-rickshaw.
Then came the blow.
In front of the birthday crowd, Aryan pulled Rehan aside and whispered with a smirk,
“Next time, bring a better gift. And come in a car, not looking like a courier boy.”
Rehan’s face flushed.
He looked at the remote-control car Aryan just received from another uncle — it cost more than what his father earned in a week.
Later that evening, while sitting near the garden wall, Rehan whispered to his mother:
“Ma… am I poor?”
Shahana gently held his hand.
“No beta. You’re not poor. You just haven’t seen what you’re truly worth yet.”
🗣️ Character Conversations: Mirror of Mindsets
Zakir (that night):
“Let them flaunt. But don’t let your self-worth depend on the key of a car. It’s the value you add, not the value you show, that builds respect.”
Rehan (hesitantly):
“But Baba… I want people to clap when I enter too.”
Zakir (smiling sadly):
“Earn your applause by how you live, not what you drive.”
The next Monday, Rehan went to school without a smile.
But fate had its way.
His English teacher, Mr. Mehta, announced a storytelling competition. Rehan, shy and hesitant, was nudged by his best friend to participate.
On stage, Rehan told a fictional tale — of a boy with a rusty cycle, who was mocked for not having a car but saved a life by reaching the hospital in time with his cycle.
The hall stood in silence. Then came applause.
Not because it was flashy. But because it was real.
🧠 Character Psychology and Lessons
- Aryan represents the common early exposure to status comparison, shaped by material validation.
- Zakir, a father rooted in ethics, teaches dignity — not through rebellion, but through calm resilience.
- Shahana represents the emotional anchor — quietly protecting her son’s self-esteem without bitterness.
- Mr. Mehta, the teacher, plays the quiet mentor — a character who shows how confidence can be nurtured through opportunity, not sermons.
Rehan learned early:
Poverty isn’t a lack of money. It’s the absence of pride in oneself.
💡 Reflections: What This Story Teaches Us
- Children absorb comparison before they understand value.
The seeds of inferiority often come from family, not strangers. - Humiliation doesn’t need fists. Words are enough.
What a cousin mocks today becomes a lifelong emotional stain if unhealed. - One supportive adult can reframe a child’s entire self-image.
Teachers, parents, mentors — your encouragement is powerful currency. - The chase for status often begins in childhood.
If not addressed early, it grows into lifelong financial insecurity.
🛠️ Practical Insights for Parents
- Teach children to differentiate between needs and wants.
Explain value through action, not lectures. - Normalize second-hand, modest living without apology.
Pride is not about price tags. - Encourage storytelling, public speaking, and creative expression.
It builds inner confidence against outer judgment. - Be cautious of gifting culture in family functions.
Value is not always in quantity but in emotional quality.
🌱 Where They Are Now
Rehan, now 25, runs a rural storytelling program for school kids called “Kahani Ki Cycle”.
He visits schools in Bihar and UP, teaching confidence and dignity through tales of simplicity, strength, and survival.
“My cousin had a car.
But I had a father who taught me how to steer my soul.”
Episode 66: The Freelance Trap — When Passion Turns Into Financial Panic
In the next episode, a creative youth quits his 9-to-5 to follow his dreams of freelancing. But delayed payments, underpriced gigs, and inconsistent income soon teach him that freedom, without planning, can become a different kind of prison.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog series is intended for emotional and financial reflection. It is not a substitute for professional advice. If you or someone you know is facing emotional distress, debt-related trauma, or bullying, please consult a licensed professional.
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