Tag: neighbours

story

I Want Your House!

nhpureandsimple

‘Good morning Madame.’

‘Good morning Sir, how can I help you?’

‘I’m your wealthy neighbour, the third road on the left. My mansion can’t be missed.’

Of course I know your mansion, heard about you,  no need to brag about your power and wealth. Besides, I have never wished, never would, to be honoured either with your presence or your company, I thought holding the door half -open. 

He remained silent, looking from me to my house. I remained silent looking from him to his massive, monstrous car swallowing the whole wide road just like an enormous  whale stuck in a small lake.

‘You’ve got a beautiful house,’ he said, with one of those fake forced smiles.

‘Thank you,’ I replied.

‘May I come in and have a look?’ Now, his smile was a mockery one.

‘A look at what?’

‘Your house.’

‘Have anyone told you mine is for sale?’

‘If you allow me some of your time, I’ll be happy to explain things.’

‘I’m so sorry but I don’t know you and I can’t let you into my house to explain things that have nothing to do with me.’

All his smiles, forced or mocking, disappeared. His face reddened and his eyes blazing. He was, definitely, on the brink of exploding, but that wouldn’t be my fault, would it?

‘But of course, they have. It’s about your house which I know is not for sale. But, I’ve come to offer you the deal of a lifetime.’

‘For my house which is not for sale?’

‘Yes. Now may I come in to talk business?’  He looked a bit calmer, a bit hopeful.

‘No.’

‘Why?’

‘I told you.’

‘I can turn your house into a fairytale palace.’

‘It’s already my fairytale miniature palace.’

 ‘Your garden will be exotic and magical.’

‘Thank you very much but I’m not a wich.’

‘Your kitchen will turn into a sophisticated, modern restaurant with…

‘Sophistication and I do not go well together.’

‘Your bathroom…

‘Clean and tidy.’

‘How many rooms do you have?

‘Enough.’

‘Your bedroom..

‘I want to replace my dressing, and fix my wardrobe drawers.’

‘Give me time to explain.’

‘What do you want?’

‘Your house. It would make a great extension to my compound, influence, and buisness. But it will also remain your place. You can choose to live in its modern renovated version, or nearby. I’ll simply hold the “ownership”, and you will live a better life.’

‘Thank you very much but my house is not for sale.’ I shut the door.

He exploded, but, unfortunately,  I don’t have a fire extinguisher to contain the mess.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Robots

nhpureandsimple

What makes a good neighbor?

Of course I’m joking, but that’s the trend on social media: Roberts at your service sir/Madame.

Has it ever come to you that one day your neighbour might be a robot? A perfect version of neighbour! A machine programmed to greet you everyday with cheerful voice, knock on your door if it doesn’t see you one day,  lend a hand with your children and chores, share a meal with you, congratulate you on good news and support you in bad times. A robot neighbour would do that all and more. All at your service!  Isn’t that incredible?

But we are humans, and a robot is not a human, can’t be one. What will we enjoy or learn from this perfect version of a neighbour? How are we going to change or understand others if they look the same, talk the same, and behave the same?

A good neighbour is a kind neighbour. We might be totally different to each other, but kind enough to smile at each other whenever our paths cross. Or, kind enough to share our numbers in case we need help or send messages every now and then to make sure each one of us is still there.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Money-free service

nhpureandsimple

What job would you do for free?

Years ago, one of my neighbours, a Muslim but not from an Arabic country, asked me to teach her daughter to read and write in arabic and wanted to pay for the lessons. I welcomed the idea but insisted on teaching the little girl for free. When she first asked me, the thought of earning money didn’t even cross my mind. But then, I was taken aback when she asked me how much I am going to charge her for the lesson.

There’s nothing wrong or embarrasing about charging others when you are doing them certain job and giving them some of your time. But, that, in most cases, depends on the person’s motivations and the workload of the job. Taking both into consideration,  I decided to make this job for free for certain reasons; First, I was already teaching my children Arabic at home which means I am used to the job and had the materials. Second, she was my neighbour, and do we charge our neighbours for doing them a favour? For me, that cannot be. Third, I wasn’t planning to make it a business. It was merely a sort of a small help I can offer to the little child.

I did that again, and I will do it more if need be. Although that was money- free service, I earned things more precious than money; a child’s smile, a pleasant mememory and my neighbour’s appreciation.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla