16-year-old Daniel often saw an old man sitting on a bench whenever he went to the ground to play. Daniel would always see him there and wonder, 

“Why does he sit there doing nothing?”

Daniel loved playing football and visited the ground every evening with his friends. One day, while chatting, one of his friends told him,

“That old man doesn’t do anything. He retired from his job, and now he just comes here to enjoy the fresh air.”

Daniel didn’t like the idea of retirement.

 He believed that people should always stay busy and keep working. He thought sitting idle was a waste of time and that even old people should be doing something useful.

One day, after playing, Daniel felt very tired and without thinking, sat on the same bench as the old man. As he drank water, he noticed the old man smiling.

Curious, Daniel asked:

Daniel : Why are you smiling?

The old man didn’t hear him at first, lost in his thoughts. Then, a kid’s football rolled near him, and taking the chance, Daniel asked again:

Daniel: Sir, I want to know the reason of your smile.

Old man :  (Looking at Daniel with a warm smile)  By watching the birds chirping

Daniel : Just that?

Old man :  And watching the leaves dance in the wind.

Daniel :  That still doesn’t seem like a enough reason.

Old man :  Also by seeing  my grandchildren playing here.  (He used to come to the park with his grandchildren.)

Daniel :  Don’t you think the world is much bigger than this?

Old man :  (smiling) Yes, young man! The world is much bigger than we think.

Daniel :  Then why waste your time on such small things?

(The old man wasn’t surprised at all by his question.)

Old man :  I am not wasting my time, dear. In fact, I’ve only just realized how precious time really is.

(Daniel found this hard to understand.)

Daniel :  (confused) But don’t you think everyone should work hard, stay busy and contribute to society?

Old man : Yes, dear. I completely agree. People should work hard.

Daniel looked at him with curiosity. His facial expressions showed that he found a contradiction between the old man’s words and actions. But he didn’t know much about him yet.

The seventy-year  old man could easily read his expressions. The old man understood his confusion and explained:

Old man :  Dear, the energy you have now—I had it too at your age. I always wanted to do something big, so I worked hard. I achieved everything I once dreamed of. I did my part.

Daniel :  Then what happened? Where did that passion go?

Old man :  Son, just like eyesight, hearing, and health change with time, our thoughts, perspectives, and circumstances also change.

Daniel :  But passion? That doesn’t change, right? Hard work and dedication were your passion, weren’t they?

Old man :  (laughingly) Well Son, even passions change with age. But yes, you are right—hard work was my passion, and maybe it is the one thing that never changed.

Daniel was somewhat satisfied with his words because he always watered the plants outside his house himself and did all his tasks on his own. He lived only with his grandchildren. His wife had passed away ten years ago, and three years ago, his son and daughter-in-law had lost their lives in a car accident. That’s why he was used to doing everything by himself.

Daniel : Yes, sir. But I am talking about work that people do for money—the kind that helps a country’s economy.

Old man :  Son, in my young age, I earned enough money that I don’t have to worry about it now. But after losing my loved ones, I realized something. In the race for money, I wasted so many precious moments. I couldn’t give my family the time they deserved. I missed so many happy moments. I missed my children’s birthdays. I missed sitting with them at dinner. I missed asking them how their day was. I even missed moments for myself. And that is the price I paid.

Daniel was surprised. He hadn’t expected such a deep and emotional answer.

 Daniel(in mind) :  Are these really blessings?I never even thought about this. But then, he remembered the day of his own birthday, when his father was too busy at work to come. That day, Daniel had been very sad, and although he was later given his favorite gift to make up for it, the absence of his father still hurt.

The old man continued speaking, bringing Daniel back from his thoughts.

Old man: Son, life gives us many blessings. But we only realize their value once they are gone.

Especially relationships—the ones that God gives us to make our lives shine, like those with parents, siblings, a spouse, and children. We must make time for them.

The choices we make shouldn’t punish our loved ones.

Then, the old man said something that really made Daniel think:

Old man :  There is nothing wrong with being hardworking. At some points in life, work must be our top priority. But life isn’t just about work.

If I die today as a great architect, ten more brilliant architects will take my place.

But if I die as a father, no one can ever replace me for my children.

Daniel(in mind) :  Yes, the day my father missed my birthday, my uncle gave me a gift to cheer me up. But my disappointment with my father remained. (It seems like he was applying the old man’s words to his own life)

Daniel fell silent. He understood the truth in those words.

After a brief silence, the conversation continued.

Daniel : So, do you just sit here thinking about all this? What’s the point?

Old man : (Smiling) No, son. I am now living the moments I once missed. That’s why watching the birds, feeling the fresh air, and spending time with my grandchildren feel so special to me now.

The time I couldn’t give my children, I now give to my grandchildren.

Just then, the old man’s little granddaughter, who had been playing, ran to him.

Little girl :  Grandpa, let’s go home. I’m tired!

She grabbed his arm and started pulling him excitedly, and he laughed.

Old man :  Alright, dear, but let me say goodbye to my friend first.

He quickly got up to leave.

Old Man to Daniel :  Alright, son, see you again.

Little girl : (excitedly) Grandpa, run! Catch me!

Old man :  Oh, my little princess! Walk slowly. I’m old now; I can’t run!

Little girl : (giggling) Grandpa, you’re still young and handsome!

Daniel smiled. This conversation had touched his heart deeply.

Especially the little girl’s last words: Grandpa, you’re still young and handsome.

It’s never too late to recognize your mistakes and enjoy life. 😊

If stories like this touch your heart, you might also love this one about what true beauty means — it changed the way I look at people forever.