Microfiction
Thread Content
Human relationships are something that becomes weaker the more it’s used. (1) Driven by their shared interest in rare stones, Lao Zhong and a dozen other enthusiasts formed a small group, meeting every weekend to exchange ideas on collecting, playing with, and appreciating stones. At the first gathering, everyone brought what they thought were their best pieces to show and appreciate together, resulting in much laughter and a lively atmosphere. The dozen or so people who attended the party came from various professions; they represented all walks of life. Yet, once they were together, they all felt as though they had met too late in life. As the conversation continued, before we knew it it was already noon. Lao Zhong said excitedly in a loud voice, \"I’ll treat lunch; let’s go to a hotel for a drink to celebrate that everyone has found a group!\" ” Everyone immediately applauded in agreement, and the group went to a hotel where they booked a large private room. They ate and talked together, having a very pleasant meal. Lao Zhong is a mid-level manager in a government agency; he heads a department of moderate size, and it’s no problem for him to cover the cost of a meal.
(2) At the second meeting, we still had a great conversation. By noon, everyone was staring at the old clock. Lao Zhong hesitated for a moment, then got up and said, “Let’s go; I’ll treat you!” ”They paid after the meal; the total cost for drinks and food was over a thousand yuan, and Lao Zhong paid the bill with a dark expression on his face. (3) At the third gathering, as noon approached, everyone’s gaze remained fixed on the old clock.
Lao Zhong kept his head down, silent. A man said with a smile, \"Lao Zhong, you’re an official; you have power.\" ” Another person said, “Yeah, Old Zhong – if you don’t use your rights, they become invalid after a certain period!” ” Lao Zhong opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but as he was always concerned about his reputation, he ended up saying nothing. He got up and waved, saying, “Let’s go, let’s drink!” ” They scattered*. Old Zhong walked behind, and from a distance he heard someone ahead say, “This Old Zhong is quite decent after all!” ” Another person said, “Tch, it’s still using public money!” ” Upon hearing those words, Old Zhong felt acid rising in his stomach; he almost vomited the alcohol he had just drunk. You should know that Lao Zhong’s position doesn’t allow him to claim expenses indefinitely; he paid for the last two dinners out of his own pocket. When they got together again, Lao Zhong did not attend. At first, no one noticed; it was only when it was time for meals and everyone looked for him that they realized he was gone. One person said, “Where’s Old Bell?” ” Another person also said, “Yeah, why hasn’t Lao Zhong come?” ” With the conversation still in full swing, they decided to split the costs by going to a hotel this time. After the meal, everyone shared the cost of the food, which was over a hundred yuan per person. As everyone filed out of the private room, they all felt a bit resentful toward Old Zhong, as if it were he who had stolen the hundred-plus yuan from their pockets. One person said, “This old clock is really unfair!” ” Another person said indignantly, “Yeah, the position isn’t high, but they act so arrogant! Why be so conceited?” ”
The story is over; the philosophy behind it is too profound. This is a truth we must understand: the first time you offer help to someone, they will be grateful to you. The second time, his sense of gratitude will fade. After N times, he simply assumed outright that all of this was something that should be done for him. And when you can no longer provide such benefits, he will hold resentment toward the giver. Explained in economic terms, this is a “marginal effect of gratitude.” In other words, in the hearts of those who receive help, their gratitude toward those who offer it gradually decreases, until at a certain point the recipients no longer see it as anything special and consider such gifts to be something inevitable. Finally, the recipients made more requests without feeling in the slightest that there was anything wrong with that. Just like at the end of the novel, the one who gives alms is instead hated by those who receive it. Human relationships are something that becomes weaker the more it’s used. Remember, don’t love too much; love just a little.
It still depends on the individual; the saying \"repay a drop of kindness with a fountain of gratitude\" does make sense. That’s why one should be careful when making friends.
Don’t forget, a bowl of rice brings friendship, but a fight over rice creates enmity! Often, *once something becomes habitual, it is taken for granted. But not everyone is like that; however, such people are quite common around us, causing inconvenience to others without even realizing it. . . Tell yourself to reflect on yourself. . . . Be someone who causes as little confusion as possible to others, and at the same time learn to say no to them.
The key issue is that Lao Zhong doesn’t understand this marginal effect. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep going to settle the bill over and over again, resulting in outcomes contrary to his wishes.
Therefore, one must also learn to say no in life. Refusal is also a form of wisdom.