As the alarm clock blared, I woke up and heard the symphonic melody of chirping birds. It was a pleasant morning and I joined my family at the breakfast table. They were talking about the holiday that day, which was on account of Labour Day.

My younger sister, Alia, asked our grandfather about the purpose of Labour Day.

“Everyone in this world does their job to survive in society, to fulfil their liabilities and wants, just as I and your father have done. So, everyone is a labourer in their own way. Mostly, the term ‘labour’ is used for people who rely on daily wages or actual labour. On May 1st, a public holiday is given in appreciation of the hard work of labourers all over the world,” he explained to her.

I then suggested that we could do something to make this holiday special for labourers, instead of sitting at home and wasting our time watching television, or doing nothing. We could start by considering doing something for our house helpers, gardener and driver.

Grandpa agreed, saying, “Yes, absolutely, you can do that.”

Alia agreed with me too. So we started thinking, and then my mother suggested that we could buy some gifts, such as clothes, fruits and chocolates, for our helpers and their families. Alia and I also decided to make cards for them, wishing them a happy Labour Day and expressing our appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.

After breakfast, Alia and I made the cards, and then we all, including mum and dad, went to the store. We bought boxes of dry fruits, chocolates and shawls. We also bought a big cake to celebrate and cut it with our helpers in honour of Labour Day.

We reached the area where our house helpers, driver and gardener lived, since they were from the same community. We visited everyone’s homes, gave them gifts and cards, and saw the happiness on their faces.

Later, we gathered everyone at a specific location, cut the cake and distributed it. All of us enjoyed eating that delicious cake.

When we returned home, I told my grandfather about the entire celebration. He was very glad and proud of me and my sister, Alia. He exhorted us, saying that we would always be successful and good humans because what we have done is what Allah wants from people — to become the source of happiness and joy for others.

Later that night in bed, I recalled all that we did that day, especially the cake-cutting, which was my personal favourite.

The next day at school, the teacher asked everyone about what they did during the holiday. I shared the whole celebration and also mentioned what my grandfather had encouraged us to think of others’ happiness. I received a big round of applause for this act, which also motivated my classmates.

The simple act of kindness on that Labour Day transformed into a tradition of spreading happiness, making our small town a haven of joy and companionship.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 27th, 2024