By Pratapananda Naik

A YOUNG talented Catholic junior army officer thought that he had found a right life partner for him, wanted to share this good news to his senior Catholic boss, a Brigadier who was his family friend and mentor.
He met the Brigadier in his office and after saluting him said, “Brigadier, my parents have found a best life partner for me. This year after Christmas, I will marry her and for my wedding I want you to raise the toast.” The Brigadier asked him to tell something about his fiancée. The young army officer was pleased and with great enthusiasm began saying, “My fiancée is really pretty and charming.” The Brigadier took his pen and wrote a zero 0 on a piece of blank paper without looking at his junior officer. The young officer was surprised. But he continued and said, “She is a doctor.”
The Brigadier added a second zero 00. The junior officer was perplexed but didn’t dare to seek an explanation from his boss. He continued with hesitation, “She is excellent in studies and thrice a rank holder.” The Brigadier added a third zero 000. The young man was stunned. Hoping to impress his boss, young officer said, “She comes from a rich family. Her parents have a large property and a beautiful bungalow in their native place.”
Fourth zero was added 0000. “She was born and brought up in a cosmopolitan city.” The fifth zero was added 00000. The young officer began to profusely perspire. “She works in a well-known hospital and earns a good salary.” The sixth zero was added 000000. The young man became nervous but not to show it, he put on a brave face and said, “She is highly talented person and has won many medals and prizes.”
The Brigadier coolly added the seventh zero 0000000. “She is very sociable with excellent leadership quality and highly respected in her friends’ circle.” The eighth zero was added 00000000. The young officer began to shiver and didn’t know what to say. Yet, hoping for better he said, “Her parents are postgraduates and highly placed in the society.” To his utter shock and disappointment, the ninth zero was added 000000000.
The young officer was about to collapse on the ground. But the Brigadier held him and said, tell me the last quality. The young officer’s mouth was parched and in a confused state of mind he didn’t know what to say but he went on murmuring with closed eyes, “She is a good Catholic, value-based person and has unquestionable good character.” When he opened his eyes he couldn’t believe that the Brigadier had written 1 before nine zeros 100,00,00,000.
“You are really lucky my friend, the value of your spouse is 100 crores or one billion or even more.” the Brigadier said. “But, Brigadier, if this is true, why did you went on adding zeros when I narrated the excellent qualities of my fiancée?” asked the young officer in curiosity.
The Brigadier smiled and said, “Without the spiritual values and good character, all other qualities which you narrated are secondary, temporary, irrelevant, create pride and eventually lead to many problems. When I was a young man like you, my parents chose for me a partner of all the qualities which you have mentioned, except the most important one, namely, the spiritual value system. I too blindly accepted their choice as the right and best choice. But I was wrong. Due to worldly attributes of my spouse and my wrong outlook, our marriage didn’t last too long. Though I gained name and fame as a successful army officer, I failed in my married life. I didn’t want that to happen to you. Luckily you have found the right partner. I wish you all the best. Be always rooted in true and lasting values. For matters related to your personal life, you should be the sole and final decision maker. You may seek the opinion and advice of your parents, relatives, friends, teachers, and others, but never allow them to decide for you. YOU and only YOU must be responsible for your decisions.”
The young army officer learnt that day the best lesson for his entire life.