Moral support or floral support? writes Sajid Khan

Michael’s gift
John and Michael were best friends since childhood. Went to the same school, spent a lot of time together, were practically inseparable. Only difference between the two was, John was a millionaire businessman’s son, whereas Michael was very poor. But Michael had a gift. The gift of making friends. 

‘Hi, there!’
As life passed as they grew up, John took over his father’s business whereas Michael worked in a finance company at a small post. Though they weren’t actively in touch with each other, Michael used to make sure that every day on the way to work, he would go to John’s office and from a distance just wave and say Hi to him. John obviously didn’t care much as he was always engrossed in work and had no time for his friend.

‘You won’t understand’
One particular day on his way to work, Michael, by routine, stopped to say Hi to John. When he saw that John was visibly stressed and looking very worried, Michael walked upto him and said “How you doing? Everything okay? You are looking very worried.” To which John replied, “The worries of the rich are something which working-class people like you will never understand.” 
Not feeling bad, Michael told him, “But perhaps a friend can understand. So whatever your problem is, share it. Maybe I can help.” John looked at him and burst out into peals of laughter. “You can help? Hahahaha! My friend, I need to deposit `10 crore in the bank in the next three days or I am screwed. My business will shut down. That’s `10 crore. An amount you can only imagine, never experience. So now tell me, can you help?”

A friend in deed!
Michael looked at him, smiled and said, “Let me see what I can do.” To which John looked at him and burst out laughing again. “What you can do is not waste my time right now and leave me alone. Goodbye”. Smiling, Michael left. 

Two days later, Michael came to John’s office again and waved to him. John, who was in a worried board meeting, got angry and walked towards Michael. “I guess this is what you are good for. Coming and saying Hi to me.

As you can see I am very stressed for time, so I would appreciate if you left.” Michael smiled at him and said, “You wanted a loan of `10 crore or your business would go kaput, right? Here, this will help.” And gave him a cheque of `10 crore.

Shocked, John looked at the cheque and asked him, “Are you kidding me? Are you making fun of me?” To which Michael replied, “Hurry, go deposit this in the bank before your time runs out with your creditors.” Michael gave him the cheque and left.

Khari kamaai
A few hours later, Michael was at work and was surprised to see John at his office. With tears in his eyes he told him, “Your cheque passed. I am shocked. But how could you have access to this kind of money? To which Michael replied smiling, “You know, John, all these years when you were busy making money, I was busy making friends.” John hugged him and apologised for his behaviour over the years.

Toh bhaiyya, true friends are always there for moral support and nakli friends are there to put fake flowers on your grave (i.e. floral support).