A parable about how people often ruin their lives by making the wrong decision.
“Is this a sacrifice queue?”
"Yes. I am number 852 in line, you are 853.”
"When will it be our turn?"
"Don't worry, it moves quickly. For whom and why do you intend to sacrifice yourself?"
"For love. And you?"
"For the kids. Children are my life.”
"What do you intend to sacrifice?"
"My personal life. All that matters to me is that my children are healthy and happy. I would give anything for them. I quit my job, which I was happy to do, and went to work in a kindergarten to be closer to them. Only they matter, nothing else. And you?"
"I will sacrifice my relationship. There is nothing left between me and my husband. He has another woman. Another man also appeared in my life. My husband doesn't want to leave, he says he won't leave because he's used to living with me."
And the door opens.
“Number 852, come in.”
The number 853 sat there waiting to be called. Time passed very slowly for her, but finally the number 852 came back.
"How was it? What did they say? Did they accept your sacrifice?”
"No, they sent me away and told me to think a little more."
"But why? Why didn't they accept him?"
“They asked me: 'Are you sure? Have you thought it through? This sacrifice will be forever - there will be no return!' I said, 'Of course I am. When the children grow up, they will be grateful to me and will appreciate everything I sacrificed for them.' They showed me a strange movie! I saw myself and my grown children. The daughter got married and moved to the other side of the world; my son only called me once a month because he felt obligated. I ask them: 'Why are you treating me like this?' And my son answers me: 'Don't keep meddling in our lives, mom. Don't you have anything else to do?' I was shocked, what should I do? I spent my whole life taking care of them, I have nothing else. It seems to me that I did all this in vain..."
It was heard: “Number 853, come in.”
"What would you like to sacrifice?"
"My Relationship"
"Good. Please explain.”
"The relationship is not particularly serious yet, it doesn't last long, but I feel comfortable, I enjoy it."
"And what do you want to sacrifice this relationship for?"
"To keep the family."
"Yours? Why is it important to you?”
"Yes, my family. The husband has been with another woman for quite some time, he lies about what he is doing. I don't have the strength to deal with this anymore."
"What are you saying? What would you sacrifice - your husband?"
"No, this new relationship, a lover, not a husband."
"Why?"
"To keep my family."
"You yourself said that your husband has another woman, and you have another man. Where is the meaning of family here?"
"We are still officially married. It means we are family.”
"And this situation suits you?"
"Of course not, I cry all the time, it's unbearable!"
"But in no case do you want to start a new, more suitable relationship with your lover and leave your husband behind? Does it hold?”
"Yes, because it's really not that serious. I probably wouldn't regret sacrificing him!”
"Well, if you don't worry so much, we worry even less. So let's sacrifice him.”
"I was told that you show films - about the future. Why don't you show me one?”
"Of course, some talk about the future, others about the past. Yours is the present. Let's look at it.
"Is it really me? Do I really look like that? I do not believe! I take care of myself!”
"It's a reflection of your soul, that's who you are inside."
"I look terrible!"
"This is how people always look when their souls are unhappy."
"Who is this boy? What a nice kid, look how he's holding on to me!”
"You don't know? This is your husband, and this is a reflection of his soul.”
"My husband? He is a grown man."
"But he is still a child at heart. And it hangs on you, like a child on its mother.”
"Yes, he is like that! I was raised differently. I was taught that a woman should be stronger, wiser, more determined than her man. She has to lead the family and direct her husband!”
"This is exactly what is expressed here. We see a strong, determined mother who takes care of her husband - a child who allows and forgives everything."
"I'm not his mother, I'm his wife! Even though he has another woman, I still can't stop loving him!”
"Exactly. End of the movie. Let's conclude. Will you sacrifice this relationship for your family? Haven't you changed your mind?"
"What about the future? Why didn't you show it to me."
"We don't have it. But according to the present circumstances that we have seen, your husband will not be away from you for a long time.”
"Then what should I do?"
"Perhaps you like being his mother more than his wife."
"No. I want to be a woman that someone loves!”
“So what are we going to do? Will you make sacrifices, for the sake of preserving the family, so that your husband can remain a child?”
"No, I'm not ready. I need time to think. Can you advise me? Tell me what I have to do to make my husband grow up?”
“You should probably stop acting like his mom. Focus on yourself and learn to be a real woman: seductive, charming, mysterious, desirable. A woman he'll want to give flowers to instead of crying on her shoulder.”
"Really? Do you think this will help?”
“It usually works. If you still have problems, please come back. We will gladly accept your relationship with your husband. Do you know how many people out there somewhere dream of something like this? If you want to sacrifice that, we are more than willing!”
"I'll think about it."
Number 853 left the office very confused.
The door closed. People walked up and down the aisle carrying their desires, abilities, careers, talents, potential—everything they were willing to sacrifice for something they often didn't even fully understand. (adapted from Irina Semina)
What is your story, what would you sacrifice? For whom and why? Would it really be worth it? Consider! You can never change your actions!
