Ramesh was extremely fond of using his mobile phone. The moment he woke up, he checked social media. He spent the whole day chatting with friends, and even at night, he watched videos before going to sleep. He felt that his phone was his best companion.
But there was one day every month that made his heart pound with anxiety—the day the mobile bill arrived.
This time, when he saw the bill, he was stunned. The amount was so high that it felt as if the bill had taken control of his wallet. He muttered to himself, “It seems my mobile has become a bone in my throat.”
His wife looked at the bill and asked, “How did it get so high?”
Ramesh replied seriously, “Maybe my phone is charging me for traveling everywhere with me.”
His wife said, “You watch videos all night. How can the bill be low?”
Ramesh paused and then said, “From now on, I’ll put my mobile on a diet.”
The next day, he decided to reduce his phone usage. First, he deleted unnecessary apps. Then he messaged his friends, “Call only if it’s important.”
His friends joked, “Are you planning to sell your phone?”
Ramesh replied, “No, I’m just trying to make friendship a little less expensive.”
At night, instead of keeping the phone beside his pillow, he placed it on a table far away. He also fixed a time limit for watching videos—just ten minutes.
After a week, Ramesh realized that life could go on perfectly well without excessive phone use. He began spending evenings talking with his family and enjoying tea together.
The following month, when the mobile bill arrived, Ramesh was delighted. It was half of what it had been before.
His wife smiled and said, “See? Once you controlled the phone, the bone in your throat disappeared.”
Ramesh sighed with relief and said, “Now my phone is my friend, not my master.”
RAJEEV VERMA 