【轻阅读，看世界】What is the most innocent advice you have ever received?

铅笔英语，每晚睡前故事。

看世界人生百态，品人间真情冷暖。

多一种语言，多一个纬度，多一段故事。

My friend and I agreed to meet up one fine day just to hang out, and told me she was going to be at least 25 minutes late. Nearby where I stood was McDonald’s, so I decided to grab a seat there to wait for her.

Seeing that it was lunch time, I was lucky enough to save myself a table for two. After a while, a boy came and asked if he can sit with me while waiting for his mum. I agreed and welcomed him.

He was around twelve years of age, and had been staring at me while I scrolled through my phone. I was contemplating as to whether I should put my phone down and engage in a staring contest with him, or…

After what seemed like forever, he broke the ice. “What are you doing? Are you playing games on your phone?”

“Oh no, I’m just uhh.. planning my budget - thinking how to spend my money.” I replied.

“You’re rich?”

“No, haha. Well… not yet. :p”

Curious and fairly entertained, I asked him, “What will you do if you have lots of money?”

He paused and gave a thoughtful look. “Hmm…”

“I’d spend my money buying every single thing on the McDonald’s menu! I’ll try every burger, every drink… Then I’ll move on to KFC, then Pizza Hut… then…”

I smiled and let out a giggle. I thought that was cute.

“You should, too, you know.” he continued, nodding seriously. “You should spend your money on what you love and makes you happy. Mine is food.” he smiled broadly.

“I love food, too.”, I thought to myself.

Before I could utter a reply, his mum came.

“You want that new Samurai Burger, right? Come.” she said to him. He smiled at me cheekily.

I thought about what he said. It sure was amusing.

I looked down at my phone to my planned budget. There was no item listed that catered to my personal happiness, or enjoyment. No pleasurable activities, nothing. All were limited to bills, savings and necessities.

I then looked up at the McDonald’s menu.

Shortly after, my friend arrived.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Yeah. But can we have lunch first? I want to try that new Samurai Burger.” I let out a grin.

Edit: A number of readers have noted in the comments section that in the long run, this habit would only do more harm than good (wastage/greed/the likes). I’d like to say that while that is true, it’s best to take the ‘moral of the story’ within context and apply due wisdom in situations. The aim of this story is to remind ourselves to allocate some time/money towards self-pampering/indulgement, but to exercise the needful responsibility at the same time. :-)