maximus
This story is fictitious.
Mom always told me to take. Everywhere you go, just take. If there is a ‘FREE’ sign next to it, I take it all. That’s how we lived, me and her.
I got a pretty good job, I studied hard and got an offer. Every day I go to the office, I take my mug with me, and of course a thermos.
The thermos is empty early morning and by the end of the day, it is full. I have a few liters of cold coffee in my fridge for the past month. It is a system, I fill thermos and from the thermos I fill my mug throughout the day. When work ends, I fill the thermos again, I chug one latte from the mug itself and drop another shot for the road. Parasitic? Nah, I am just making the most of my time in this world— they said ‘Carpe Diem, remember ?’.
A cup of coffee costs around Rs 120. I get mine for free. Needless to say, I have a stack of paper cups as well. All company sponsored. Plus, I am not wasting extra soap on cleaning mugs. Win-win. Savings, bro.
See, I am always confronted about this particular habit that I have by my peers, “Why do you do that, Maximus ?”
“Why not? It’s free. It’s been paid for by those capitalists. Why poor me not take?” “We are all underpaid anyway, it is the least they could do.”
They always scoff and go away.
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Let me talk about books now. I get most of my free books from the book shelter thing (you know those environmentalist-type people love to set up this community sharing where you take a book and put a book back).
Oh, what do I tell myself ? Just this: “Pretend you are putting a book back, and take the books.”
“It’s just there, you expect me not to take them. Now that would be foolish.”
Savings, bro. What kind of savings ? These books sell fast, smooth as butter on the marketplace thingy online once I have skimmed them. More money in the bank, more interest accumulates. You have to construct an eye for these freebies, it is an art — a way of being. That way you can plan your way in and out with the least disturbance. You cannot piss off your peers too often, else they will see you and not invite you for parties. Parties mean free food and booze. I usually keep some containers in my backpack just in case someone brings cake. Good times, bro.
Mom left me three years ago.
Now, all that remains beside her remains is her teaching: “If the possibility arises, take absolutely without a shred of doubt.”
Well, her exact words were: “Take absolutely everything that life offers to you.”
I extended it since I am such a good boy and overdoing it is the best chance to please one’s parents, isn’t?
