The Journey to Understanding
The distant city lights seemed to flicker as Mohit sat by the window. Even the roads seemed to be busier, but people were scurrying toward their homes. In Mohit’s house, however, no one knew such a thing existed as “after work.” Both his parents are high-level corporate executives who have sat at the dining table; their laptops lay open, with their eyes focused on the screen. The only light in their world was from their devices.
He sighed and turned his gaze back to the notebook in his lap. He had just returned from a school trip to the Himalayas, a trip that had completely changed his perspective. The towering mountains, the cold crisp air, the endless green valleys—it was nothing like the busy, chaotic city he had always known. And for the first time, he had felt truly alive. He had learned that the world was vast, filled with beauty, adventure, and knowledge beyond what any book or computer screen could offer. But his parents didn’t understand that.
Mohit had been trying to convince them for years to take a break. Just one trip, a weekend even. But every time, they had the same response: “We’re too busy, Mohit. Maybe next time.” But next time never came.
This time, however, Mohit was determined. He wasn’t going to let the conversation end in the usual way. He had seen something they hadn’t, and it was his mission to make them understand.
The Plan
That night, after dinner, when his parents finally leaned back in their chairs with their coffee, Mohit saw his opportunity.
“Mom, Dad,” he said, closing his notebook and walking toward them, “can I show you something?”
His father barely looked up from his laptop. “Make it quick, Mohit. We have a deadline.”
His mother sipped her coffee absentmindedly. “Is this for school?”
Mohit shook his head. “No, it’s something more important.”
That made his mother glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, go ahead.”
Mohit took a deep breath, then picked up a blank sheet of paper from the table.
“Imagine this paper is your world,” he said, holding it up. Then, he took a pen and placed a small dot in the center. “And this dot? That’s your office.”
His father sighed. “Mohit, we work hard so you can have a good future. What does this have to do with anything?”
“Everything,” said Mohit with enthusiasm. “If you stand in one place, your world is just that dot. But the world is not where you work. It is so much vaster than that.”
He started sketching mountains, rivers, and cities all around the dot.
“This is what you miss when you never leave,” he said. “Travel expands your mind. You learn about different cultures, meet new people, and experience things you’d never find in a book or on a screen.”
His parents exchanged glances but still seemed skeptical.
“But work is important, Mohit,” his father said, rubbing his temples. “We can’t just leave it behind.”
Mohit nodded. “I know. And I’m not asking you to quit your jobs. I’m just asking you to take a break. Just one trip. Even if it’s just for a weekend.”
The Case for Travel
His mother sighed. “Travel is expensive, Mohit. And it’s not always practical.”
“But it’s not just about fun,” Mohit insisted. “It’s about learning. Do you know that when people travel, they gain skills they can’t get anywhere else? Problem-solving, adaptability, cultural understanding—things that make us better at work, too!”
His father raised an eyebrow. “And where did you learn that?”
Mohit smiled. “On my trip. We met a local businessman in the mountains. He told us that travel helped him build his company. Because he had seen different parts of the world, he understood what people wanted. He learned new ways of thinking. And that made him successful.”
His mother closed her laptop slightly. “Go on.”
Mohit felt a rush of excitement. They were finally listening.
“When we travel, we become better people,” he continued. “We learn empathy because we see how others live. We understand history better when we walk through ancient streets. We appreciate nature when we hike through forests. And when we return, we don’t just bring back memories—we bring back knowledge that helps society grow.”
His father sat back in his chair, thinking. His mother looked at Mohit with a soft expression, one she rarely had time to show.
“And it’s not just about us,” Mohit added quickly. “Travel helps the world. It boosts local economies, supports small businesses, and promotes understanding between people from different backgrounds. The more we travel, the more connected the world becomes.”
For a long moment, neither of his parents said anything.
A Change of Heart
Finally, his mother sighed and set her coffee cup down. “You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into this.”
Mohit nodded eagerly.
His father closed his laptop. “And you’re saying that one short trip would be enough?”
“Just try it,” Mohit said. “If you hate it, we never have to do it again.”
His parents looked at each other. Then his mother smiled. “Maybe a short trip wouldn’t hurt.”
Mohit grinned. He had done it. The journey had just begun—not just for him, but for them as well.
The First Step
A week later, Mohit sat beside his parents in a train, watching as the city faded into the distance. They had agreed to take a short weekend trip to a nearby hill station—just a small step, but an important one. His father had his phone with him, but for the first time, he wasn’t checking emails. His mother was looking out the window, taking in the changing scenery.
Mohit smiled to himself.
“Okay,” his father said, turning to him. “Where do we start?”
Mohit grinned. “With adventure.”
As the train whistled into the mountains, he knew this was just the beginning.
By: Pranjal Agrawal
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