The Curtain Arises.

Anuj laid in his bed.

Anuj (thinking), ‘How did my problem grow so big? I never even imagined that I would get into such a huge debt because of this. I got so caught up in the rat race of acquiring worldly things that I even lost what was most important. I ruined everything.’

Entangled in all these worries, Anuj falls asleep and slips into a new world.

‘Wow ! This is such a beautiful and peaceful place! The people here look so happy and worry-free.’

Anuj: Hello Sir! What is this place and what is the reason for everyone’s happiness here?

One person: Hello Anuj! This is Anandnagri (The City of Happiness). The people here only know three languages – Love, Honesty, and Trust. The King of this place is Satyavardhan. He is the symbol of honesty, just like his name. He believes that people's faith in speaking the truth is the key to their happiness.

As Anuj was entering the King’s court, he thought, ‘How does this person know me?’

King: Welcome Anuj! I was waiting

for you. (Anuj is still trying to understand) Did you see my kingdom?

Anuj: Yes. It is very nice, but I have not seen everything. How do you know me?

King: you!

I know everything about

(thinking) ‘This King knows everything about me, how is that possible? I think he is lying.’

Have you always spoken the truth in your life?

Anuj thought, ‘Let me test the King.’

Back to the King's Courtroom...

King: Until today, no one knows who broke that expensive vase.

Anuj: I was very scared that my mom would scold or spank me for breaking the vase. That is why I did not tell anyone.

King: Then you must also remember the time when you were 12 years old. You found a worksheet that did not have a name?

King: Do you remember your high school days? Where to be popular, you were fooling everyone by telling them that you are very rich? and set myself apart as being smart and unique! However, I could not afford the expense to look smart. So… King: Are you on Instagram? Anuj: Yes, of course! Who is not on Instagram? At the age of 17, I had reached 2000 followers.

King: Wow! I just saw your Dubai vacation picture. That means you must have seen the “Redeemer Statue” in Dubai, right?

Anuj: Yes, of course! It was an amazing statue!

King: By the way Anuj, that statue is not in Dubai, it is in Brazil! See, I caught you!

Anuj: But I had the desire that lots of people should follow me on social

media. So, I would use my editing skills and post my photograph with different places in the background.

King: You would go to the gym for 10 minutes and then post such pictures that everyone would think that you were a fitness freak. You gained popularity with that. Tell me, am I telling the truth?

Anuj: You surely know everything about me.

King: Now tell me, after all these years, are you still as popular as you were at that time?

Anuj: Yes, people still like me. To tell you the truth, I also have a girlfriend now! And she really likes my lifestyle.

King: Nice! But how do you maintain that lifestyle?

Anuj suddenly becomes silent. King: You can tell me everything frankly. I will not judge you.

Anuj: (takes a deep breath) The lifestyle that I am dreaming of, my family cannot afford that. So, in order to maintain my image, I started borrowing money from my friends. I started lying to them that, “I forgot my wallet at home.” or “Someone stole my wallet.” They would lend me money with the condition that I need to pay them back. But I wasted all that money and did not have any money to

return to them. So, I started avoiding them. Whenever I used to run into my friends, I would show that I am busy. And if they brought up the topic of money, I would give them a guarantee that I would return their money soon. I needed to find some way to return their money quickly.

There was one group of people in college that knew different ways to make quick money. I thought that those people would help me, so I went to them. They introduced me to gambling. I felt that this was the only way that would get me out of my debt. So, I joined them. But to stay in that group, besides gambling, I had to do many other things. So, I started eating non-veg and going to late-night parties. As a result, I started coming home late. So, I began lying to my mom that I was busy with the college festival preparations, or that I was studying in the library.

In the end, one person from that group lent me money to gamble. I won a couple of times, so I became hopeful that by gambling, I will be able to repay my debt and earn more money. But after that, I started losing money and got into more debt. Now, I don’t know what to do? How did I get to this point here? I never thought that I would get in such huge debt. I ruined everything!

After hearing Anuj’s story, the King took Anuj to one room in his palace, where the walls were made of mirrors. When Anuj went inside, he saw some quotes, which would show up for some time and then disappear. He read all those quotes carefully.