Story: Happiness

While standing in line to sell her recyclables, Jazmín was telling an acquaintance, «I’ve been very diligent throughout the year. I don’t like the lean times to catch me off guard. I’ve been asking my daughter since February what she wants for Christmas. She told me she wants a dollhouse, and in July, the little one insisted on an armo made of tubes. She’s happy with the toys I make. In the backyard where I store the recyclables, I have about two bags full of toilet paper tubes and like four disassembled cardboard boxes. When I put her to sleep so she can go to school the next day, I unfold all my creativity and love for these gifts. It was frustrating for me as a child that my mom couldn’t give me gifts. I understand; she was very poor and couldn’t think about how to make them. But, thank God, life sent me intelligent and talented. I think I have an artist inside me. I’m painting everything beautifully with colorful flowers and stars to make cars, houses, buildings, bridges, robots—whatever she wants. I also use cardboard and sticks to make sure they fit well together and don’t fall apart. I put it all together, and suddenly it falls apart. On the cardboard, I’m going to make the Barbie dollhouse from the one on TV. In every recycling sale, I save a little money to buy the materials I need—paint, glue, liquid silicone. In short, I’ve already spent a lot of money on making these toys. They’re expensive, but it doesn’t matter as long as my girl is happy and plays with them. I mean, poor but proud! And who said that poor people can’t afford these luxuries? Of course, we can. Definitely, not everyone indulges in such things.»

People looked at her with surprise as she told this story with joy. The lady to whom Jazmín was telling her story was thinking, «Why is she so happy if they’re not original toys? Also, how could a girl be happy with painted cardboard?» Christmas arrived, and with it, the gifts. The mom had packed the armo in black plastic bags, and she wrapped the dollhouse in Kraft paper, but with big red ribbons and beautiful handmade cards by Jazmín. They had a beautiful tree made of twigs and covered in cotton, with a few Christmas balls and a light she had bought with effort, and a beautiful but small nativity scene. When the girl saw these big gifts that were for her, she danced with happiness, and Jazmín danced with her. Achieving to give her daughter what she had asked for with so much longing. The next day, the girl woke up running to unwrap them. Oh! Surprise—what she had asked for so much. The mom played with her daughter all day and the following months. Indeed, the mother had managed to bring happiness to her daughter, who exclaimed, «Mom, it’s the most unforgettable Christmas gift ever! I’m very happy with these beautiful gifts!» Her mother felt that she had fulfilled it, and now she was looking forward to surpassing this challenge next December. This great artist had plenty of motivation.

Individual Work:

Define in your own words what happiness is for you.

Look up the definition of happiness in the dictionary or on the internet.

If you ask for the gifts that Jazmín’s daughter requested, and the Three Wise Men bring them to you, what would be your reaction?

Do you think that happiness comes from material possessions?

If you were Jazmín, what would you do?

Are you a happy person? Justify your answer.

Tell us what situations, things, or people bring you happiness.