Noni Learns the Value of Work

Noni Learns the Value of Work

(An Inspirational Short Story)

Noni was a good boy in many ways — cheerful, curious, and kind-hearted. But he had one very bad habit: he was incredibly lazy. He hated doing any kind of work.

Whenever someone asked him to help, he would refuse right away.

If his mother called out from the veranda, “Noni, dear, can you please bring me some garlic from the kitchen?” Noni would frown and reply, “I won’t. You can get it yourself.” Then he would continue playing with his toys as if he hadn’t heard her at all.

When he felt thirsty, he wouldn’t even get up to drink water. He would just shout, “Mom, I’m thirsty! Bring me some water!”

Doing homework was another great challenge for him. He would only finish it after his mother asked him again and again. And even when he did, he never bothered to pack his books into his school bag. He would just leave them scattered on the carpet. His mother would sigh, pick them up one by one, and neatly place them in his bag herself.

His father faced the same problem. Every morning, when the newspaper delivery boy tossed the paper through the gate, his father would call, “Noni, son, please run and get the newspaper.”

But Noni would make excuses. “Dad, there’s a fat cat sitting outside — I’m scared!” So his father would end up going himself.

At school, things were no different. He disliked getting up early in the morning. If it weren’t for his father’s scolding, he would have slept till noon. Even in class, while his friends cleaned their desks with small dusters, Noni would just blow the dust away half-heartedly. He often wished his mother were there too — she could have cleaned his desk for him.

By the time he turned eight and entered the fourth grade, Noni still hadn’t learned to do even the smallest things himself. He didn’t know how to tie his shoelaces or button his shirt. Every morning, he would sit half-dressed, waiting for his mother to come help him — even though she was busy preparing breakfast, and his father was getting ready for work.

One day, while making breakfast, Noni’s mother called out, “Noni, please put the bowl of porridge on the table. I’m toasting the bread.”

But Noni replied, “Mom, my pants aren’t buttoned. If I stand up, they’ll fall down.” His mother sighed and placed the bowl on the table herself.

His laziness was now a serious problem. His mother often worried about his future. “What will happen to Noni if he keeps avoiding work like this?” she asked her husband one night.

His father nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right,” he said. “We have to find a way to change him.”

A few days later, on a Sunday afternoon, while his mother was busy cooking lunch, Noni was sitting beside his father watching cartoons. During the commercial break, Noni said, “Dad, I love cartoons! I wish I could watch them all day, every day.”

His father smiled. “Cartoons are fun, no doubt — even adults enjoy them. But tell me, if everyone just sat around watching TV all day, who would do the other work?”

Noni thought for a moment and replied, “That’s true. If the milkman, the newspaper boy, and the maid all watched cartoons all day, who would bring the milk and paper? Who would clean the house or wash the clothes?”

His father’s eyes lit up. “Well said, my boy! That’s a very smart thought.”

Encouraged by the praise, Noni continued, “And if you watched cartoons all day, you wouldn’t go to the office. Then you wouldn’t get paid — and we couldn’t buy food or clothes!”

His father laughed softly. “Exactly. You see, Noni, so many people around the world work every day — just so that life keeps running smoothly for all of us. Some make our clothes, some make our shoes, some print our school books, and some make the bags to carry them in. Farmers grow the food we eat, laborers build our homes, and others make toys for children like you. Everyone contributes in some way. We should be thankful to all of them.”

Noni sat silently for a while, thinking. Then he said, “And Mom also works all day long — cooking, cleaning, and taking care of us. Even when she’s tired or sick, she still keeps working.”

His father nodded. “That’s true, son. Mothers are incredibly strong — they work tirelessly for their families. But tell me, what lesson do you think we can learn from all this?”

Noni hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, “If so many people are working for us, then we should also work — so that our efforts can help others too.”

His father smiled proudly. “That’s the spirit! Children may be small, but they can still help in many ways — by doing their own small tasks. You can polish your shoes, put your books away, hang your uniform neatly, drink water yourself, and help your mother set the table or clear it. When you grow up doing small tasks, you’ll be ready to handle big ones.”

He added, “Remember, a good and responsible person is always doing something useful.”

That conversation left a deep impression on Noni.

Just then, his mother called from the kitchen, “Lunch is ready! Wash your hands and come to the table.”

Noni ran to the sink, washed his hands, and went straight to the kitchen. His mother was carrying plates to the dining table. “Mom,” he said eagerly, “you serve the food — I’ll set the table.”

His mother looked at him in surprise. Noni carefully took the plates and spoons from her hands and arranged them neatly on the table. Then he rushed back to get glasses and a chilled water bottle from the fridge.

His father watched him with a proud smile. His mother placed her hand lovingly on his head. “Noni, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Is this really my son?”

Noni grinned. “Yes, Mom. Dad made me realize that so many people work hard to make our lives easier. From now on, I’ll do my part too. I won’t be lazy anymore.”

His mother’s eyes softened. “I’m so happy, my dear. When we work, we not only help ourselves but also others. Making someone else’s life easier is one of the greatest forms of kindness.”

Noni nodded firmly. “You’ll never have to ask me to do anything again, Mom. I’ll do my work myself — always.”

And from that day onward, Noni truly changed.

He had finally learned that doing work — even small, simple tasks — was not a burden, but a beautiful way to live responsibly and make the world a little better for everyone.