The Ungrateful Child

There once lived a 14-year old girl named Maddi who lived in a two-storey apartment in Hong Kong. She would get whatever she desired, making it extremely comfortable. Anything from airpods, plushies, photo albums and much more.

One morning, Maddi’s older sister made her favorite pancakes. Maddi ran down the stairs, wearing her airpods with her eyes glued to her phone. She glanced up at the food and carelessly snatched a plate like a robber takes a necklace from a jewelry store at night. She began to fill it up. Her younger brother, Corn was already sitting down at the table, but he only had a single pancake on his plate. 

“It’s like you took a grape from a big bowl of fruits. Why do you have such little things on your plate? ”Maddi asked. “The others aren’t going to eat this stuff, so we better finish it.

Corn swallowed, and said, “You can’t eat that much, you gotta save some for Mom and Dad.”

Maddi turned from her phone, glaring at Corn, her eyes piercing into his soul, “They don’t even like this kind of stuff. Besides, the food will be cold when they get back from work.”

Corn turns back to his food, shrugging. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Maddi took the plate and a fork and went upstairs. She closes the door to her room and puts in her airpods. She begins to listen to music while playing video games. 

Three hours later, Maddi does the same thing with her lunch, locking the door after her. Corn tries to tell her to stop multiple times, but to no avail. 

The next morning, when she woke up, she ate breakfast without acknowledging her mother. She walked out the door with her school bag and slammed the door behind her with Corn trailing behind. 

“Bye, Mother!” Corn said before the door shut.

Maddi kept quiet and they disappeared from sight.

Well, Mother thought. She could have said thank you.

That night, Father made the most delicious fried rice the household has ever seen.

“Thank you Father, for this gracious meal.” Corn said, grinning. “Maddi, do you like the food?”

She ignored him and ate a spoonful. She retched and drank her entire cup of water. Corn and Mother stared at her in shock, while Father was furious.

“Why are you not eating the dinner I prepared for you?” Father asked angrily. “Do you not like it? I worked so hard to make that and yet, you are eating it with disgust.”

“We always eat fried rice,” Maddi complained. “Can’t you cook anything else?” 

She stormed up the stairs and slammed the door, locking it.

That night, Mother knocked on the door and Maddi opened it. 

“Since you felt really angry today,” Mother said, giving her a box. “Your father bought you a Fitbit!”

Maddi looked at the box and said, “Can I have an Apple watch? This thing doesn’t have any good functions at all.” 

Mother said, hurt. “Oh, okay then. I’ll just give this to Corn and we’ll buy the Apple watch tomorrow.”

The next day at school, her friend proudly said, “I got a seven on my Math test!”

“Congratulations!” Erin said.

“Nice job!” Kristen said.

Maddi stayed quiet, seething. She had got a 6 and she glared at her friend. She was extremely envious. That night, Maddi told her mother about this situation. 

“Maddi, instead of being envious of your friend, you should’ve been happy for them,” her mother said. “You should be glad that she got such a high grade. If you work harder next time, maybe you can get a 7 or 8 too.” 

Her face wasn’t angry anymore.

She looked as happy as a beaming ray of sunshine.

She had a change of heart. 

She appreciated her Dad’s cooking and her mother’s kindness. 

She appreciated Corn’s thoughtfulness for others. 

She decided that from now on, she would be more grateful.