A friend of mine named Edward always longed to live in comfort at someone elses expense. He made quite an effort to win over a girl from a wealthy family. I could tell he didnt love her, and that nothing decent would ever come of such a marriage. Yet Edward was convinced that a rich wife was the key to his blissful, carefree life. Perhaps that was believable if the girl herself knew how to make money. But it turned out her familys fortune came from her mother, who owned several grand shops in London.
I tried to reason with my friend:
Surely you dont believe theyll support a fellow who wont lift a finger. Its best to be independent and have a job.
Oh, dont worry. Weve a baby on the way. They trust me, completely! he chirped, almost proud.
I simply couldnt fathom it. It just wasnt right, treating his girlfriend this way. It wasnt proper at all. A man ought to work and support his family.
Some time passed, and I grew curious about Edward. I asked where he was working these days. Turns out, neither he nor his wife did much at all except lounge about at home. They spent their days playing video games, watching telly, or having a nap. Her mother kept them both fed. I almost envied him Edward had got exactly what he wished for.
My mother-in-law is loaded, well never need to work, Edward boasted, gleeful with his easy life.
But such days couldnt last forever. Trouble arrived at the shops, their income dwindled more and more. Her mother had no choice but to offer both daughter and son-in-law jobs.
A month went by since we last met. Then I got a call: Edwards voice was anxious, asking if I could lend him four thousand pounds for a fortnight.
Im job hunting, Ill have an interview soon, then Ill get an advance and pay you right back. Were absolutely skint, he said, dejected.
And so his carefree days came to an end. From then on, both he and his wife started working. He did pay me back. That was the tale of the rich family. One shouldnt depend on others you ought to stand on your own and rely on yourself. Only then can you really feel secure and happy.
