Two tickets to the big match

All three of them looked at Dad’s outstretched hand which held two tickets to the quarter finals of the cricket game. That meant only one of them could accompany dad.

``Father can’t you get any more tickets?’’ asked Renu, the middle sister of Pallavi and ram. Renu was as eager as her two brothers to go for the game. ``I am afraid not’’, father answered. ``Mr. Mohan could only manage two tickets for us, so which one of you would go?’’

Pallavi said, ``I am the eldest so I want to go.’’

Ram barged in, ``I follow the cricket games more keenly, so I should go, besides, I play so well.

``But I have been eagerly waiting to watch the game since some of my favorite cricketers are plying’’ said Savita.

Father was in a dilemma.

``ok’’ father held up his hands in a time out signal. `` I guess I will have to figure out a fair way of choosing between the three of you by tomorrow morning. I will have to decide who deserves it most,’’ said he.

Next morning, their parents left early for work. They left instructions with the children to do some household chores and finish their homework.

Sitting on the breakfast table Pallavi said, ``you know, all night I was dreaming about sitting and watching the game live, How exciting it was’’.

Ram said, ``Well, let’s see who goes.’’

``Stop now,’’ Renu retorted. ``Let’s started with the assigned work’’.

``Work?’’ Pallavi said putting his glass of milk with found a thud. ``How can we concentrate on work when the big game is tomorrow morning.’’

``Parents! They just do not understand!’’ Ravi agreed eating the last bite of his toast.

``I am going for the morning newspaper,’’ Pallavi announced, ``There’s probably a preview of the game in the sports section.’’ ``Wait for me!’’ Ram added and dashed after his brother.

``But guys.’’ Renu cried but they had already left. She looked at the breakfast table which was covered with dirty plates and glasses, spilled milk and bread crumbs. ``well,’’ she thought to herself, ``might as well as get started. Have to finish the home work as well’’.

She cleared the table and wiped it clean. She then made her bed, dusted the room, arranged the bookshelf and then went out in the balcony. She saw her brothers playing cricket. She called out and asked them to come in and get on the job. Both of them chorused, `` just ten more minutes sis’’.

She sat down to do her homework. In between she again got up to check on her brothers. They were very absorbed in the game. They paid no attention to her calling. Fed up she continued to do her work.

Later she went and reminded them, `` you guys, mother and father will be back any time,’’

``Ok1, we are coming in to help,’’ ram said tossing the ball.

Suddenly, their car arrived and their parents saw the boys. When they went inside they saw that the house was tidy and Renu was putting her school bag away. The worn out brothers came in and asked father, ``so dad, quickly tell us who’s going?’’

``None of you boys, the most deserving is my girl. She has earned the ticket to the game,’’ father said.

Boy’s face fell. They understood that their irresponsible actions made them lose the ticket.

The next morning, father and his daughter sat next to each other cheering their team to victory.

It was long-remembered lessons in responsibility from a father who let his kids make their own choices and earn their own rewards.