A man in front of a mirror

A man stood in front of a mirror and his eyes wandered across the reflection as if he was looking for something. He expected to see himself in the mirror, as we all do, when we step in front of one. But the man saw everything but himself. He saw his expensive cars and his beautiful house. Next to it he saw his office where he worked all day and earned a lot of money. When he stepped closer to get a better look, he noticed his wife with whom he had not talked to in a while. “I don’t have time for talking,” was his excuse when his wife wanted to spend a candlelit evening with him, “I have to work to earn a lot of money.” Next to his wife stood their six-year old son, to whom he would rather buy expensive toys than to spend time playing with him. This was all he saw. He moved his eyes across the reflection once again but with no luck. He still could not find himself in the reflection. “How is this possible?” puzzled the man.

He thought for a while and then concluded that the mirror must be faulty. “Yes, that must be the reason,” he said and went to find another mirror. He passed long hallways in his house and entered various rooms. Almost every room had a mirror. He stepped in front of each one in hope he would find himself in the reflection, but every time the reflection was the same. He saw his house, his office, his wife and son somewhere in the background, but he was nowhere to be found.

“I don’t understand! Really, I don’t!” he cried out in anger when he stood in front of the last mirror he had found in the house. He stepped in front of every mirror he could find, but none of them showed him. He was worn out and angry from walking around his huge house in vain and so decided to go out of the house. He walked to a lake that rested in front of his house and sat under a tree. Ever since he was a young boy, nature had the power to calm him down. For a few minutes he was still trying to find the answer but then he stopped and relaxed. He gazed across the lake and spent a few moments without thoughts. “This is the first time in a while that I am by myself.” he then thought. “Ever since I have become famous I haven’t had time for myself.” The man became famous when he built the city’s library which is now considered the most beautiful building in the city. After that, offers came from everywhere and he wanted to accept them all. Soon, the abundance of money misled him and he forgot his passion.

“I used to draw plans for houses, because I wanted to make the most beautiful, comfortable and useful house. Now I draw them just to make money.” he sighed. “As a young boy I really loved houses.” he said with a gentle smile when this childhood memory crept into his mind. “When parents allowed, I would walk around the city and watch houses. I would sit in front of the most beautiful ones for hours and admire them.” he remembered. “I looked at how the windows were designed and which material they used for the door. I was trying to guess how the rooms were distributed inside. I remembered all that so that one day I could make a beautiful house like that.”

All these memories woke him from a sleep which had been going on since he became famous. Slowly the memory of the young boy became more vivid. As if his body became younger as well, he rose to his feet and went for a walk around the lake. In his heart he felt the same spark he had felt as a young boy. With it he drew gorgeous houses in his dreams and dared to believe he could make his dreams come true.

Now the young boy settled completely into our man. He filled him with youth only love for one’s work can achieve and made him walk faster. Now he enjoyed trees, birds and grass as if he was that young boy, coming back home from a tour of the city full of energy and ideas. Soon he arrived at the other side of the lake and in front of himself he saw his house and expensive cars. His wife stood in the garden and watched their son play. “I forgot about myself and traded my wife and son, who I adore, for money,” he said to himself. Now he understood why he could not see himself in the mirror. “The mirror reflects what is in front of him and I was only a reflection of my wealth then. But from now on it will be different.” he said and smiled. “From now on I will take care of myself. I will never forget about myself and those who I love again,” he concluded and then he noticed his reflection in the lake.