Making money is not easy! The real-life story of the son of the industrialist Mr. Lohani!

The incident took place in 1997, I am Robin Choudhury, the only son of my industrialist father Mr. Lohani. At that time, I was a student at this level. One day, friends gathered at the club, partying, going on tours, trying out new drinks, everything was adding up to a different kind of fun life.

Among friends, I was considered a leader. The reason being, I used to spend the most. One day, we planned to go on a tour to Thailand with friends. And I decided to celebrate my birthday there. In the meantime, my two friends who were a little poor would need me to sponsor their expenses.

Today, Dad is sitting in the drawing room at home drinking coffee. As I was about to say something to him, Dad said before me, "How much is the amount?" When I said nothing, Dad mentioned that it's my birthday, so does it mean something else? In a loud voice, Dad angrily said, "I have asked you the amount, how much is it? 2 lakhs, son." Huh!!!

You are the best child of the nation. You have made this nation proud by your birth, and now only 2 lakh rupees are not enough for your birthday celebration to come this time??? Just then, Mom is coming. What happened?? Our only son will inherit all this wealth one day. Let him not worry, give it to him without causing him any pain. If I, by sitting on the pilot seat of a flying plane, can take responsibility for your son in the plane as a co-pilot, what will you say?

Listen, Robin's mother, this wealth won't come in one day. To take this responsibility, one must prove themselves worthy first. Alright, I will give your son 2 lakh rupees if he earns 200 rupees through hard work tomorrow. I spent the whole night sleeplessly for just 200 rupees. Dad will see tomorrow that I have become worthy of taking responsibility for his wealth.

The next morning at 7 a.m., my father woke me up and asked me to get up from bed. I was feeling annoyed that I had to wake up so early just for 200 taka. Reluctantly, I got ready and went out dressed up as Flower Babu to earn 200 taka. I didn't even have a single taka in my pocket, but my father had given me a spy. As I left home, I felt like I had entered the middle of an ocean. I couldn't find money anywhere without begging for it or receiving help from anyone. I was reluctant to beg for alms. As I was lost in thought, it was already noon. Finally, I reached a rickshaw garage, feeling fearful as there were many people around. What if someone mistook me for a rickshaw puller and hit me? At that moment, Vivek made me understand that rickshaw pullers are just like me.

Extending their hand for alms is unfair. Although I reached the rickshaw garage, the unknown people there refused to give me a rickshaw. Suddenly, an idea struck my mind that if I couldn't find a rickshaw, I could offer to pull it myself. I couldn't accept defeat so easily, being my father's son. In exchange, passengers would pay me 1 taka each.

I had never worked before and I had never even sold a glass of water by myself. Yet, under the scorching sun, I started pulling rickshaws. In this way, within an hour, I pulled 10 rickshaws and earned 10 taka. When I went to pull rickshaw number 11, my legs gave out. I stood up again. When a passenger handed me a coin of 1 taka, tears welled up in my eyes. After a while, the pain in my legs intensified.

By evening, I only had 40 taka. I couldn't bear it anymore. Exhausted, it felt like my body was betraying me, leaving me alone. Finally, I took the 40 taka and went back home. In front of my father, I stood there, handing him the 40 taka, holding onto him and crying, "I couldn't do it, father."

I thought my disheartened exhaustion, torn pants near the knee would make my father shed tears. Perhaps, he would pat my head and offer consolation. But he didn't do any of that. Instead, he told me that now he would walk with me from Dhanmondi to the Buriganga bridge, no questions asked.

I was surprised. Now it seemed that he truly was a businessman. I then asked my father why he was walking. He replied that he was only moving ahead in small steps today to get to where he is. He didn't come in a car or a plane. You are only facing difficulties for a day. Be patient.

How do I convey to him the story of my exhaustion?

Death is preferable to dishonor than life. Father you hold my hand as we walk, at midnight, we climbed the bridge by 3am. On the tranquil river bridge, there I am with father. Holding the railing of the bridge, father said to me, "See Robin, how the water is glistening below. You gave me 40 taka in my hand, right?"

Smiling, father, this is my first earning in life. 

I know Robin, it has been hard for you to earn these taka. Now listen to what I say. I know you have been very good at mathematics since childhood. So you can also multiply, I hope. Now I will throw your 40 taka earning into the water from afar, and you will tell me how many are left.

Listening to father's words, tears filled my eyes again. Father, with all his strength, threw a coin into the water from the bridge and asked, "Robin, how many are left now?" Through tears, I said, "Father, 39 are left." In this way, tearfully, I recounted each one before my eyes. 

I do not know the language to describe such a situation. I only know that every tear falling from my eyes feels like burning my heart with kerosene. Father never once raised his hand to my body, never gave a slap, now it seems all the joy is melting away. Father did not throw the last coin. He then said, "Robin, today I will destroy your 40 taka earnings. If you cry, and have spent all my earnings like this, where have I ever cried?"

The pain in your emotions has affected me just as it has affected you. I have left your last taka, this is the first earning of my child, a pride for a father, as a memory, I will keep it with me until death. You take 2 lakh taka from your mother tomorrow. After hearing father's words, I felt like I was a bigger criminal. I couldn't hold back my feelings and emotions. I held onto my father tightly, crying, and said, "Father, I don't need the money."

I have not learned anything from school or college for so many days, which you taught today, you are the best father in the world. Someone can be a great teacher than an ideal father. An ideal father is the world's greatest teacher.