What could be worth more than money?
Emily and Andrew had been married for almost ten years and were raising two lively youngsters. Emily worked in a nursery, while Andrew toiled at a factory in Birmingham. Their wages barely covered the mortgage and the endless stream of loan repayments, leaving them with almost nothing for daily life.
Emily, what about your birthday? Shall we mark the occasion? Andrew asked, hoping his wife would remember her thirtieth year. They had no cash for a big celebration, and Emily reminded him of that straight away.
And what will we serve the guests? Stale crackers and tap water? she joked.
Why jump to extremes? We dont need a lavish party. Lets buy a cake, some sweets, and simply have tea. We could invite our parents and a few close relatives. Your brother is due from London soon, isnt he? Andrew reminded her.
Yes, Anthony mentioned hed be back at the end of the month for a short stay. Im not sure I want to invite him though.
Why not? Hes a businessman; maybe hell bring a gift. Even if not, at least the whole family will be together.
Ill think about it, Emily replied, yearning for a bit of festivity. Constantly caring for children and struggling with perpetual shortage wore her thin.
After a moments deliberation, Emily decided to call the relatives over for tea. She rang everyone up and asked them to drop by at the months end. She also phoned her brother. Anthony had lived for years in the bustling capital, where he ran a large construction firm. He had never married and spent all his time on work, leaving little room for social ties.
Anthonys fortunes had skyrocketed soon after he settled in London. The windfall and rapid success swelled his ego; he grew proud and haughty, often snorting at his kin and branding them unlucky losers.
Emily found his attitude unbearable and gradually limited contact with him.
Will you come to my birthday? Emily asked, though she hesitated to invite her brother, knowing her mother would disapprove.
Of course Ill be there! Anthony replied enthusiastically upon hearing about the family gathering. Which restaurant are you booking?
Were not going out. Well stay at home, have tea, and chat, Emily said.
I see, he chuckled. Ive forgotten your financial situation. Ill think about it.
In the end, almost everyone Emily had called turned up for tea, but Anthony was absent. Though he had flown in from London, he never stepped across his sisters doorstep.
Your brother expected a restaurantstyle party and didnt feel like coming here, said Natalie, Emilys mother, handing her a small box. He did send you a present.
Whats this? Emily asked, puzzled.
Im not sure, Natalie admitted, having hoped for something more useful. Just thank him for the thought.
Inside the parcel lay an old, tarnished figurine.
What am I supposed to do with this trinket? Emily asked, disappointment evident.
I dont know, Natalie replied, equally let down. Give him a call and thank him anyway.
After Anthonys noshow and his gifts arrival via their mother, Emily avoided speaking to him. Yet late that evening, the brother finally called.
I didnt come because I had more pressing matters than a pot of tea, he said.
Then you shouldnt have sent a gift at all. Keep it for yourself, Emily retorted.
Its a trinket? Anthony laughed. Clearly you dont appreciate fine things. Its actually an antique worth a fair sum. A friend gave it to me, but it didnt suit my flat, so I passed it on.
What am I supposed to do with it? Emily asked, unmoved even after learning its value. She saw his gesture as a slap in the face.
Put it on a dresser and let it cheer you up. Itll remind you of the money youll never earn, he sneered. And dont even think of selling it! Photograph it each month and send me a report. I wont let you profit from my gift.
Emily was stunned. She knew Anthony was arrogant, but this was beyond anything she’d expected. She never sent the photos; instead, their mother quietly took pictures and mailed them to him, hoping to keep peace.
Months later, the familys finances hit rock bottom. Andrew lost his job, and the couple could no longer meet the loan repayments.
Dont worry, Ill find work soon, Andrew tried to reassure Emily, but his words rang hollow.
Well soon have nothing left to eat, Emily said, eyeing the figurine. Maybe we should sell it. Its worth a decent amount, enough to cover us for a while until you get a job.
But Anthony forbade it
So what? Do we want to end up on the street? If we dont sell it, therell be nowhere to put it anyway.
Andrew didnt argue. The gift was Emilys, and she could decide its fate. She arranged a sale to an antique dealer and received a respectable sum. With the debt cleared, the couple breathed a sigh of relief, and Andrew soon secured new employment.
Their brief happiness ended when their mother stopped sending Anthony the monthly photos. She refused to tell him the figurine had been sold, inventing excuses for the silence. Anthony, sharp as ever, sensed something was amiss. During a business trip back to his hometown, he decided to verify the antiques whereabouts, apparently planning to retrieve the gift. Why he acted so oddly remained a mystery to the family.
Hows my gift doing? Still on the dresser, bringing you joy? he demanded unexpectedly.
Um Emily was caught off guard but answered honestly. Your gift is now admired by other art lovers.
What do you mean? Anthony was bewildered. What are you trying to say?
I sold your figurine, Emily said, swallowing. We were drowning in debt and had no other choice.
You sold it for debt repayment? his eyes flashed with anger. I told you not to sell it! Who gave you the right?
You gave me the right when you sent it through Mom, he shouted. No! I said it must stay at home!
Enough with the nonsense! Emily snapped. Why would I keep a pricey trinket that sat gathering dust for months? If we hadnt sold it, wed be out on the pavement. Do you understand that?
Its none of my business, he retorted. Deal with your own finances!
Thats settled then, Emily replied. You never asked for this gift; you just wanted to humiliate me with something useless. Ill decide what to do with my own property. Threaten me again, and Ill throw you out!
Youll throw me out? Anthony barked. Ill leave on my own. I knew youd be foolish enough to break your promise. I wont be in this house any longer!
Those were the last words he uttered before storming out, his pride bruised by Emilys defiance. He had hoped to spite his sister, but instead she turned his cruelty to her advantage.
When Anthony finally left, Emily felt a sudden, liberating lightness. No longer would she dread his smug looks or the expensive bauble. Selling the antique solved most of their financial woes, far more valuable than any lingering family grudge.
Natalie was heartbroken to learn her children had quarreled; she loved them both equally and tried to stay out of the clash. In the end, each sibling went their own way.
The whole episode taught Emily that material gifts are fleeting, but resourcefulness and standing up for oneself can turn hardship into hope. The true wealth lay not in the trinkets price tag, but in the courage to make hard choices and move forward.
