THE CYCLIST TYCOON

In Mumbai, there was once a rich businessman. He was the richest guy in town. He had gained success in the fastest time. His son would look up to him and couldn’t be happier. But there was one thing that he would not understand.

Every morning to work and back to his home, he would take his bicycle to work. He had a huge collection of cars, but every day he would take the bicycle to office. So, one day he asked his father, “Papa, why do you take the cycle to work?”

He then told, “I suppose you are old enough. I’ll show you.” So he took him on his cycle to work one day. The son would think that it must be boring and a waste of time when he can get their by car.

First, they crossed by the nearby municipal school, where a bunch of poor children waited. He would give them a whole bag of sandwiches, for they wouldn’t have enough food in their tiffins. The children would all thank him.

Then, he would pass by his favourite Vada Pav stall. Every day, he would take his same breakfast, which was 2 Vada Pav and a cup of tea. Next, they would pass through the beach, where the girls going for a early morning workout would wave at him. He would wave back and smile back. His son too enjoyed it all, as he sat on the back seat.

Finally, he would arrive at the office, where he would park his cycle after an hour of cycling. Then he said to his son, “Did you understand why I cycle now? Everyday, I work faster, harder to become bigger and bigger. Life around us moves really fast. But in all this, we forget how to move slowly and enjoy things. The fresh air in the morning, the wonderful people along the way, the simple yet good breakfast reminds me as to where happiness really lies. Sure, money and luxury are comforting, but none can match this. And this gives me the strength and the smile to take on the day and remind me that moving fast is more thrilling, but moving slow is more relaxing.”