When I was a kid, my mom had one rule that rang in my ears like a warning bell: “Don’t collect anything from anyone and eat, reject it. If you do, you’ll be punished.” She repeated it so often that I could say it in my sleep. But sticking to this instruction was something I found a little difficult.
I had this curious habit as a child- the moment I saw someone with something I didn’t have, I felt an instant urge to have it too. A shiny candy in my cousin’s hand, a meat pie in a neighbour’s hand or a popcorn in my friend's hand, even a half-melted lollipop in another child’s mouth, I wanted it.
One sunny afternoon, a woman from next door offered me a piece of cake.
My eyes lit up instantly. The chocolate icing seemed to call my name. I stretched out my hand, but just then, my mom’s voice echoed in my head. “Reject it.”
I froze, pulled my hand back, and smiled politely. The cake still smelled like heaven, but I walked away inorder not be punished.
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