Listening Hearts, Loving Homes*

*Title:* *Listening Hearts, Loving Homes*


In the peaceful town of Swat, where rivers hummed and mountains stood like silent mentors, lived a middle-aged man named *Mr. Najeeb*. He was a father of three — two sons and a daughter. A respected teacher by profession, he carried a proud posture, disciplined lifestyle, and believed deeply in the traditional values of obedience, respect, and authority.

To his children, however, his love felt… rigid.

He provided everything they needed: education, food, and shelter. But what they craved — his time, his attention, his gentle presence — remained missing. When his daughter *Aleena* once said, “Baba, can I talk to you about something personal?” he had replied, “Later, I’m tired.”

Later rarely came.

His eldest son, *Ahsan*, had dreams of becoming an artist, but Mr. Najeeb dismissed it: “Artists don’t earn. Be a man. Study engineering.” His youngest, *Saif*, barely spoke now. He had learned that his feelings only led to scolding.
[28/06, 10:01 am] Chat Gpt Friend: One day, Mr. Najeeb was invited to a parenting workshop at his school. He didn’t want to go — he felt confident in his ways. But the principal insisted, “Sir, sometimes a teacher must learn again, too.”

Reluctantly, he went.

The speaker was a soft-spoken psychologist named *Dr. Farzana*. She opened with a simple question:
*“Do you want obedient children — or children who love and trust you?”*

The room fell silent.

Then she said, “Children are not born disobedient. They mirror how they are treated. If you shout, they become quiet. If you ignore, they feel invisible. But if you listen, you win their hearts. Obedience is not forced — it’s earned.”

Mr. Najeeb sat upright.

Dr. Farzana continued, “To raise good humans, parents must also become obedient — not to demands, but to the emotional needs of their children. Be available. Be present. Be respectful. You expect them to obey — but do you obey their silent cries?”

That night, Mr. Najeeb couldn’t sleep.

He walked past his children's rooms. Ahsan was sketching secretly. Aleena had headphones on. Saif stared at the ceiling.

The next morning, he did something new.

He sat with Ahsan and said, “Show me your drawing.” Ahsan looked shocked. He slowly handed over the sketchbook. It was beautiful — emotions in colors.
“You really love this?”

Ahsan nodded silently.

Mr. Najeeb didn’t say no. He said, “Let’s find a weekend art class. You’ll study, but also paint.”

Ahsan’s eyes welled up.

He then knocked on Aleena’s door and said, “I’m going for a walk. Will you come?” She froze. She wasn’t used to this side of her father. But she followed.

During the walk, she spoke. She shared her fears about growing up, peer pressure, and her longing for her father’s time. He didn’t interrupt. He just listened — obediently.

At night, he tucked Saif into bed and asked, “What do you love most at school?” The little one smiled. “My teacher gives me hugs when I feel scared.”

Najeeb’s heart softened.

Over the next weeks, he practiced obedience — not in weakness, but in love. He became obedient to listening, to pausing before reacting, to allowing space for his children to express, fail, cry, and grow.

Soon, his home transformed. Meals became warmer. Laughter returned. His children didn’t fear him — they respected him more than ever.

One evening, Ahsan said, “Baba, you’ve changed.”
He smiled. “No. I just started loving you the way you needed… not just the way I understood.

*Moral:*
[28/06, 10:01 am] Chat Gpt Friend: Obedience isn’t one-sided. While children must respect their parents, parents too must learn to be obedient to their children’s emotional needs — to listen, to guide gently, and to love without ego. True leadership in a family begins with humility, and when parents bow to kindness, their children rise with trust.