Story 15: What is Life — Ice Cream or Candle?

 Title: What is Life — Ice Cream or Candle?

Evening time. Rahul and Grandpa are walking back home from the park, enjoying ice cream.

Rahul (licking his ice cream): Grandpa! Ice cream tastes extra yummy after playing!
Shall I tell you an English idiom that matches this ice cream?

Grandpa (laughing): Of course, son! Tell me.

Rahul (proudly): “Life is like an ice cream — enjoy it before it melts!”
Grandpa (smiling): That’s very true, son...
But I’d like to say something a little different —
“Life is like a candle — you must use your time... to shine... before the flame... goes out.”

Rahul (surprised): means?
Grandpa (slowly): “Life is like a candle. As long as the flame is burning, try your best to spread light around you.”

Rahul (thinking):  Hmm… but Grandpa, ice cream is fun.
And candle — I mean, burning doesn’t sound fun at all!

Grandpa (gently smiling): You’re right, son. Ice cream is fun and sweet — but only for a little while. Then it's gone — game over.
A candle burns, it endures — but it gives light to others and shows the way.
And most importantly — when one candle burns, it can light up many more candles…
without losing its own flame.

Rahul (pausing thoughtfully): Hmm… maybe you're right, Grandpa.
(smiling and teasing) But these days we have LED lights! Now candle a bit... outdated, Isn’t it?

Grandpa (laughing): Haha! You’re right, son!
So then, you be an LED bulb — give more light than a candle!
Means — be anything, but always spread light and joy to others.

(Both laugh and keep talking as they reach home.)

---

Later that night… After dinner, Rahul comes back to Grandpa again.

Rahul (excited): Grandpa! Which verse from the Gita will you teach me today?

Grandpa (happily): Today we’ll learn —Verse 2.69 Repeat after me:

Rahul (slowly repeating):

“Yā niśā sarvabhūtānāṁ, tasyāṁ jāgarti saṁyamī।
Yasyāṁ jāgrati bhūtāni sā, niśā paśyato muneḥ॥”

Grandpa (explaining gently):  This means, my son:
“What is night for all living beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled.
And the time when all are awake is night for the sage who truly sees.”

Rahul (a bit confused):
Grandpa, who is this self-controlled person? Are they sort of “opposite”?
Like, when it’s night for everyone else, it’s daytime for them?

Grandpa (laughing):
Haha! Son, looks like our ice cream vs. candle debate has reached even the Bhagavad Gita verse today!
Lord Krishna is also teaching the same thing —
Rahul: Who runs after taste, and who burns to shine Grand pa? So,who is truly right?

Who lives a fun life, and who lives a purposeful life?
Grandpa (serious tone): Look, son, most people treat life like an ice cream —
“Live it up! Do whatever you want. Party hard, stay up late, wake up at noon, and say ‘It’s my life!’”

Rahul (laughing): yes Grandpa., that does sound fun,

Grandpa: Yes son, nowadays everyone wears these “Bollywood -colored glasses” and believes the world really is that colorful.
But a self-controlled person — a sanyami — acts thoughtfully and with discipline.

Rahul: Grandpa, you mean those who are wise and have self-control — they are the real self-controlled person, right?

Grandpa: Yes, Rahul. A self-controlled person understands what true happiness really is — and so they act with awareness and purpose.

Rahul (curious): So Grandpa, what kind of happiness do they find?

Grandpa: They wake up before sunrise, start their day with order —
They do yoga, meditation, prayer, or self-reflection. The peace and inner satisfaction they receive is something no party or ice cream can offer.
They carry an inner joy.

Rahul (thinking): Oh! What’s inner joy?

Grandpa (smiling): Well son, tomorrow is Sunday, right?
Let’s go early in the morning — 5 a.m. — to that faraway park.
There, you’ll feel the real meaning of this shloka.

(Grandpa calls out to the family)

Everyone, be ready by 5 a.m. tomorrow — we’re going to the outer city park!

Mom:  Great idea, Papaji! Let’s have breakfast there too.

Rahul (groaning): But Grandpa… I sleep till 8 on Sundays!

Dad (laughing): Well son, if Grandpa and Mom are ready, who are we to say no?
we all have to wake up early now !

Grandpa: Just wait and see, all of you — mornings are magical when you experience them properly!

 (Next Morning — They arrive at the park)

Cool, gentle breeze flows… birds are chirping…

Rahul (shouting): Hey Grandpa! Look, look! A peacock! It’s so beautiful!

(Rahul quickly takes a picture with the peacock, then watches people walking and doing yoga)

Rahul: Grandpa, are these people who are walking and doing yoga… are they all self-controlled?

Grandpa: Not exactly self-controlled, Rahul. But yes, they’re moving toward self-discipline.
At least they’re aware of their health and making an effort.

Rahul: And the people who sleep in late — are they unhealthy? Are they sick?

Grandpa: Not necessarily, son. But the ones who wake up early get fresh air with more oxygen, the first rays of the sun, and a peaceful environment —
So their body and mind stay healthier.

(Rahul and Grandpa walk barefoot on the grass)

Rahul (breathing deeply): Grandpa, this air feels amazing… and the birds’ sounds too!

Grandpa (smiling): Still feeling sleepy, Rahul?
Was the sleep better, or this experience?

Rahul: Now I’m fully awake, Grandpa!
Shall we shoot a video here? It’ll look awesome!

Grandpa: Sure, Rahul, shoot it right here.

Rahul: This time our video will be half about night and half about morning!

Grandpa: Yes, combine both parts.

(They set up the camera and sit near a tree. Rahul starts recording.)

Grandpa (speaking slowly): Son, Lord Krishna says —
Only a few people enjoy such a beautiful morning.
The rest stay up late partying… and sleep till late morning.

Rahul (nodding): Yeah Grandpa, for many, the weekend means staying up late at night and sleeping in till noon.

Grandpa: There’s a deeper meaning behind what Lord Krishna said about day and night —
It’s about the difference in perspective.
Like — one person feels joy in giving,
While another feels joy only in receiving.
One thinks only about their own happiness,
While another feels happy by making others happy.

Rahul (thinking): Yeah… some people enjoy getting gifts,
And some enjoy giving them. That’s what you meant, right Grandpa?

Grandpa (smiling):bExactly, son. Now you tell me — who’s right and who’s upside down?

Rahul (smiling): Grandpa… your candle is right side up — it gives light and joy to others.
And my ice cream is upside down — it gives joy only to me.
Is that better now?

Rahul (pausing, getting serious): But Grandpa… is it wrong to think about my happiness?

Grandpa (lovingly stroking his head): No, son. Your own happiness is important too.
Because when you’re happy, your soul is happy too.
For a little while, even that joy is essential…

But… if we always chase little pleasures, and ignore our important duties,
then that happiness becomes a weakness.
Our mind keeps wandering behind those small joys.

Rahul: So if we skip our important work for those little joys, then that’s wrong?

Grandpa: Yes, we should first do our duties —
then we can enjoy life too.

Rahul (listening carefully): So Grandpa, life should be enjoyed… but only after we’ve done our work.
First work, then fun?

Grandpa:
Yes son — first duty, then delight.
That’s what self-control is all about. That’s true self-discipline.

Grandpa: Life is a journey, my son.
It has flowers, waterfalls, cool breezes, fun…
And yes — some thorns and stones too.
We must keep moving, with discipline, toward that peak — our goal.

Rahul (shouting): So Grandpa — enjoy the path and don’t forget the destination!

Grandpa (laughing): Bravo Rahul! Now you’re becoming truly wise.

(Just then, Mom calls out from a distance)

Mom: If your wisdom talk is finally over, how about we move to breakfast?

Rahul (smiling): So Grandpa… time to taste life now?

Grandpa (laughing):
Yes son, for now, breakfast is our life’s goal!
Even my stomach’s self-control is giving up now!

(Everyone laughs and gets into the car.)