whose Gift?

Pedro warned invitees to his wedding that he would not be accepting any gifts, even if they were handed to him at home. But, one friend came visiting with a huge gift. When Pedro refused to accept it, he handed it over to Pedro’s two-year old niece who was playing in the hall.

Thrilled to receive the gift, the little girl tore off the gift paper. When unpacked, she was disappointed to find a stainless steel container, of no use to her. So she pushed the gift to her uncle’s hands and moved away. Pedro was furious with his friend and as he held the gift, he noticed some inscription that stated the gift was from somebody else to Pedro’s friend on his marriage!

He had ‘passed on’ the gift to Pedro without realising that his name and that of the giver was inscribed along with the date, for posterity! Without delay, Pedro handed back the gift to his friend, pointing to the inscription and saying, ‘this gift is yours, not mine!’ The discomfited friend quietly took his gift back.

It happens many a time that we receive gifts of opportunities but they come packaged and we feel to notice that they are prospects in our name. We pass these gifts to others, without knowing that they are actually meant for us. We wait for opportunities, yet do not recognise them when standing right before us. It is not enough to receive opportunities; we must recognise them.

Make most of the gift that comes in your name,

Passing opportunity carelessly is surely a shame!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.