Never Too Late to Learn

 

“Eight and six, eighty-six,” announced Neha, who was conducting a game of Housie at the Senior Citizens Club. The call was greeted with some cheers and some boos! Just as the next number was about to be called, the entrance door creaked and an old lady walked in.

“You are late Farida,” said Yasmin, her friend.

“I’m so sorry,” said Farida and walked towards the podium to collect her ticket.

Neha handed over a ticket to Farida with a smile and said, “let’s go through the numbers that have been called out already, shall we?”

“Sure,” replied Farida. “Can you please check for me?”

“I will do that,” said Neha and took the ticket back.

 

“What’s in the bag Farida?” asked Yasmin who was sitting in the front row.

“It’s empty, this is why I got late.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was looking for a hand bag to carry home the gift I’m going to win!” replied Farida confidently.

The crowd giggled at her statement, probably at her confidence. But Farida just turned a deaf ear to them.

“You know, most of the prizes have already been won,” said Yasmin.

“The game isn’t over, is it?” asked Farida, looking dejected now.

“No, there are two full houses yet to be won,” replied Yasmin.

A big smile appeared on Farida’s face. “That means I do have a chance.”

“A slim one,” said Yasmin.

“But a chance nonetheless, I’m still in the game. You know what Yasmin, it isn’t over till it’s over they say,” said Farida.

“Yes, but here I am sitting right from the beginning and having won nothing. I never win any prizes in this game.”

“I do and I will,” said Farida. By then Neha had ticked off the numbers that were done in Farida’s ticket. Farida collected the ticket and took her seat. She placed her empty bag under the chair.

 

One by one Neha started calling out the numbers again. After a particular number, a gentleman put his hand up.

“I have a full house,” he said out loud.

“Great,” said Neha. “Can you please bring your ticket here; we need to check.”

The gentleman took the ticket to her and she verified the numbers.

“Perfect, so the first full house is done. Here you go sir, this is your prize,” said Neha and handed over a gift to him. “Now we have only one full house remaining.”

Farida and Yasmin counted how many numbers they needed for a full house.

‘I have a great chance, just three more numbers needed,’ thought Farida, with a smile on her face.

‘I don’t stand a chance, still three more numbers are needed,’ thought Yasmin, looking as if she had lost already.

 

Neha continued to call the numbers. As always, every number got mixed reactions from the crowd.

“Two and eight, twenty-eight,” Neha called.

“Yes, full house,” said Farida and threw her hands up in joy.

Yasmin recognised her friend’s voice but couldn’t believe it. She turned to check and saw her friend ecstatic. 

“That is awesome,” said Neha. “Please bring your ticket here to check.”

Farida took the empty bag from under her chair and walked up to the podium.

Neha checked the numbers while Farida opened her bag.

“It’s correct, all numbers are okay,” said Neha. “Congratulations Farida ma’am, you have won the second full house.”

She handed over the gift to Farida who kept it in her bag.

 

“How were you so sure of winning?” asked Yasmin, unable to curb her curiosity anymore.

“I wasn’t sure,” replied Farida. “I just believed I would.”

“That is amazing,” said Neha. “We all have something to learn from Farida ma’am. This is the power of positive thinking. Her unwavering faith has been rewarded by the universe.”

“That is correct. By that same explanation, my dear, we can explain why Yasmin did not win anything,” said Farida.

“Yes, we can. Please explain ma’am,” requested Neha.

“Right from the time I walked in, all I heard Yasmin say was, ‘I never win’ and ‘I won’t win’. Though she played to win, she never believed she would. The frequency she emitted was negative and the universe aligned itself with that. The result, she did not win,” explained Farida.

“You are right, Farida,” said Yasmin. “Though I played to win, I never believed I would win. But this is the last time I did that. From now on, in a game or in life, I will always ensure I think positive. I will always ensure that my thoughts are aligned to the results I desire.”

“That is so good to hear ma’am,” said Neha. “It’s never too late to learn.”