The Ticket

Inside the room in the administrative offices floor
of a plush hotel, an unmarried middle aged lady executive,
showing a lottery ticket, told her secretary 
that she won five hundred dollars. She wasn’t happy.

Inside the cold storage of the same establishment,
a male storekeeper, a daily wage earner and father of three,
was all smiles as he showed a ticket and promised to treat
his mate to a beer. He won the same amount.

Now these two anecdotes happened within the same week.
What struck me was the stark difference in their reactions
upon winning the same amount. The executive said, 
“I don’t need the five hundred, I want the one million”.
The storekeeper said “Thank God, this is heaven-sent!”

Looking back, there was only one thing I thought that minute:
It takes more for those who have more in life to be thankful,
and it only takes little for those who have less to be grateful.
Who between the two has learned the secret to being happy?


15 October 2015
Giving Thanks Contest
Sponsor: Ed Ebbs
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Terry Avatar
October 27, 2015 at 9:43 PM
Money and wealth is, perhaps, a drug of sorts. The more you have the more you need in order to feel happiness. Those who have little exposure are happy with a much smaller dose. Sometimes the happiness is in the journey and the dream. There are always those with less to make us more grateful for what we have. Your poem puts thankfulness in perspective. Good write. :) Janece
Laurie Avatar
October 20, 2015 at 6:07 PM
G'day... without doubt you have given me the answer to your question. Happiness cannot be bought and for some, happiness will never be found - thanks Kim - Lindsay
Muideen Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 4:52 PM
You conveyed your message beautifully KIM, the sad truth that within lodged in the readers heart like a heavy stone. A life without a clear heart to thank the lord for his blessing is a nothingness. A very well and eloquent piece. Hope to see this in the winner list..............A.M.
Wigley Avatar
October 19, 2015 at 12:13 AM
Great write, Kim, and very true. I tend to get out of bed each morning, and look down at the ground. if I am above it- I'm thankful. Viv x
Onclaud Avatar
October 17, 2015 at 7:05 AM
really thought provoking, kim.. you made this one jump out of the page.. beautiful..huggs
Godwin Avatar
October 17, 2015 at 12:07 AM
This lesson has not escaped me, I BELIEVE I absorbed it long ago, but it is one that bears repeating and you did it beautifully. Good luck in the contest ... CayCay
Trifiatis Avatar
October 16, 2015 at 11:11 AM
A very clear message for everyone, dear Kim! An non grateful person, no matter the amount he wins, he will remain forever ungrateful! Well done!
Williams Avatar
October 16, 2015 at 5:23 AM
Hi Kim, Tim is right, having love in your heart towards others. Looking around you and seeing what you have, not what you don't have. It is a nice way to live and brings peace to yourself and the people you meet. Lovely write Kim, keep up the good work of making people think about life......kind regards-----John
Dietrich Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 3:51 PM
this was very good, and it's so true, Kim. I sure would be over the moon to win five hundred!!
Smith Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 2:54 PM
Very good analogy Kim. The secret to being happy for me is having love in my heart.
Callus Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 2:25 PM
Our outlook on life should not be based on material wealth; your write makes this amply clear, Kim. Happiness is derived when priorities are listed in a humble and sincere way. Hugs // paul
Allison Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Love this write Kim -I sure know which one I would prefer to be too - I no longer do the lottery - after my husband's cancer I value my health above everything - if you are in good health you are the wealthiest person in the world:-) hugs Jan xx
Woods    Avatar
October 15, 2015 at 11:56 AM
Kim this is a really good thought provoking poem. An enjoyable take on the have and have nots of this world.
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