A few months ago, I visited a shop that sold everything from bags and clothes to perfumes and shoes.

As we entered, an assistant murmured a quiet “Hello”. A few steps inside, the cold air from the conditioner made me shiver. My parents went towards the watches displayed inside a gleaming glass case. I hurried towards them, but slipped slightly and almost crashed into the showcase.

And then I saw it — a beautiful piece.

“I want it. I really do,” I said, pointing at a gold watch worn by a mannequin.

“Yes, yes, my son, but you already have a nice watch,” my mother replied, giving me a questioning look. “Remember the one we gave you last year?”

“But that wasn’t a gold one!” I protested. “Besides, this one is so state-of-the-art.”

My father gently but firmly reminded me that I had already bought many clothes.

“Humph,” I muttered, stepping out of the shop. My mother pretended not to notice the dull expression on my face.

A few months later…

I arrived home with my heart pounding — I had won first place in a writing contest and was carrying my prize gift. As soon as I entered, I shut the door and dropped onto the sofa. On the table lay another gift box, my name written neatly on top. Excited, I opened it and found a dusty wooden box inside. A rusty lock hung from it, and half-hidden beneath was a golden key glinting in the sunlight.

I turned the key. The lock creaked open, revealing a gold watch, the same one I had longed for months earlier in the shop.

Beneath the box lay a handwritten note. The ink had faded in places. It read:

“Dear Ahad,

I appreciate your selflessness in obeying your parents, when many children would cry, shout or even throw things. I know you liked the watch, in fact, you loved it. So I thought, why not add more happiness to your day with this present? Please accept my humble gift.”

I was stunned. I had no idea who had sent it.

After a moment, I realised it had to be the elderly shop assistant. He was the only person, apart from my parents, who could have known how badly I wanted that watch.

When I shared this with my parents, they immediately went to the shop to pay for it. But the man refused to take the money, saying it was a gift for me. So my parents invited him to dinner and he happily agreed.

The next day, my parents arranged a grand dinner to celebrate my win in the writing contest. Relatives gathered and the man from the shop joined us as well. Everyone was surprised that I had won such a contest at such a young age. It was a proud moment for both my parents and me.

After everyone went home, I unwrapped my presents. The watch from my uncle made me smile, but what truly mattered was the thought behind it. I finally understood: it’s not the gift itself, but the care that comes with it, that makes it priceless.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 31st, 2026