Oh my God!” Mom yelled when she saw the empty dish that had mutton chops just half an hour ago. Motan (real name Mateen), a 12-year-old foodaholic, had eaten all the meal that was meant for dinner for the family of four.

Mom was really upset because of Motan’s overeating habit, he eat everything he came across — be it cookies, snacks or whatever.

The scenario was no different at his school where all his teachers and classmates were worried because Motan would snatch his classmates’ lunch and their parents blamed the teachers for not controlling Motan’s bad behaviour.

“There’s nothing left for dinner, we will have to order something from a restaurant,” Motan’s mom told her husband who had just arrived from the office.

“Ok, so should I order pizzas for dinner?” he asked and as Motan had overheard this, he hurriedly rushed there and said, “Dad, two for me please…” His mom, dad and sister were shocked to hear this because he had already eaten the dinner for four people alone and he still had the capacity to eat two pizzas.

“How can you eat that much, Motan! Look at your tummy, you have put on a lot of weight and I’m really worried about your health,” mom scolded him but Motan was not affected by her words.

Anyhow, Motan’s dad ordered five pizzas, one for each person and two for Motan. Within 10 minutes of the arrival of the pizzas, Motan finished his share!

Time was passing smoothly and Motan carried on with his eating routine until a day arrived when summer vacation began.

“Listen Motan, your cousin Hamza will be coming from Islamabad tomorrow. Your uncle will drop him here as he has to go abroad for a business meeting and Hamza will spend a few weeks with us. So my dear, behave yourself at least in front of him,” mom informed Motan who was busy munching potato chips.

“Ok mom, don’t worry, I will take care of him and we will have lots of fun,” Motan replied while opening another packet of chips.

The next morning Hamza, who was of Motan’s age, arrived and what Motan saw made him self-conscious. His cousin was a good-looking and smart lad. He was fit and fabulous and the secret of his smartness was his healthy and balanced diet.

Motan felt jealous of him and said in a sarcastic tone, “Hey Hamza, I guess you don’t get anything to eat, hehehe….”

“I do, but I eat to live, not live to eat!” Hamza replied instantly, leaving Motan feeling embarrassed.

Hamza lived with them for a month and during this period Motan not only observed his eating routine but also tried to follow it.

Hamza was a disciplined child who, even during the holidays, got up early in the morning, performed the morning prayers and did some light exercises. Breakfast was a must for him. He, instead of indulging in junk food like potato chips, burger, etc., preferred a balanced and healthy diet that included vegetables, fruits, milk and meat in reasonable quantities.

As Motan tried to follow Hamza lifestyle, he felt some very positive changes in his body. Now he found that he had more energy and was not as lazy as he often felt after a greasy and large meal, began to feel good about himself as he had cut a reasonable amount of calories from his diet which was making him overweight.

Motan’s parents too noticed the change in his behaviour and they were happy about it. The day before Hamza had to leave, Motan’s dad decided to order for dinner something special for the entire family. Everyone told their preferences and when dad turned to Motan for his choice, the answer was a surprise.

Motan said, “Anything that is nutritious and light as I eat to live, not live to eat!”

Everyone smiled, as now Motan was no more a ‘motan’ rather a disciplined and healthy eater!