Story of Meena

Meena was married into a well-respected joint family in North India. Her husband was the only son, and his parents had raised him with deep values of respect, hard work, and family togetherness.

From the very beginning, Meena had a streak of arrogance. She often repeated the phrase “I am what I am — I won’t change for anyone.” On the surface, it looked like confidence, but in reality, it was her shield for pride and stubbornness.

Her in-laws tried to guide her gently — suggesting she learn family traditions, respect elders, and maintain harmony. But Meena dismissed them, considering it “old-fashioned interference.” She openly disobeyed household customs, ignored her mother-in-law’s advice, and often answered back sharply.

What hurt the family most was how she treated her son, Aarav. The little boy was deeply attached to his grandparents — especially his grandmother, who told him stories, cooked his favorite dishes, and cared for him like her own son. Instead of feeling grateful, Meena grew jealous. She began to scold Aarav whenever he ran to his grandparents, and sometimes even slapped him in front of them, just to “prove her authority.” The old couple bore the pain silently.

Over time, the home lost its warmth. The parents withdrew into themselves, the child became fearful, and even Meena’s husband grew distant. But Meena kept consoling herself — “I am right. I am what I am. They don’t understand me.”

Years passed. The grandparents’ health declined. When her father-in-law passed away, Meena was shocked to see her son crying uncontrollably, hugging his grandmother, while she herself felt a deep emptiness she couldn’t explain. After her mother-in-law too passed away a few years later, Aarav distanced himself emotionally from Meena. He often told her bitterly, “You never let me love them freely.”

When Aarav grew up and went to college, he chose to stay away from home as much as possible. He rarely shared his feelings with his mother, and their bond was weak. Meena began to feel lonely.

In her 50s, with her son settled abroad and her husband often busy, the truth hit her hard. The arrogance she had hidden behind “I am what I am” had cost her — she had lost the love of her child, the blessings of her in-laws, and the warmth of a united family.

She confessed once to a neighbor:
“I thought I was strong and modern, but I was just arrogant. I didn’t realize that respect and humility never make you small. I ruined my peace by trying to prove I was always right. I regret it every day.”

👉 This is not just about one “Meena.” Many families have seen such real stories play out. Pride and arrogance can slowly hollow out relationships, and repentance often comes too late — when the people who loved us most are no longer around.

Drawn from real social situations that have been documented or narrated by families.

Arrogance and its ill effects