The Three Rings

This is the story of the three precious rings.

Once upon a time, I was given a ring—it was only a toy ring but I really treasured it. I was so young when I first wore it.  Of course, it fitted on my ring finger. But as I was growing up, I noticed that my hands are getting bigger, that the ring is starting to hurt my finger. Still I took the risk of wearing it—my finger got swollen and I almost cried every night because I really did not want to take it off but it continuously bruised my finger. So when my dad said “Child, it’s time to take that ring off”, I said “Bye bye” to it. It has been a hard task for me because it was my ever first ring that I really loved, treasured and owned. I put it on my mind that dad was right because it’s the best thing to do. To keep me be reminded of my ever first ring, I reached to a decision of putting it in a jewelry box. There, it has been stored and kept.

After such time, my dad surprised me with a new ring. Now it gets even better. It’s not a toy ring anymore but of a golden one. At first, I got a little bit hesitant so I went to my room to get my old toy ring and started to compare them.  Then I understood that I am not a little girl anymore. I have to wear a new ring which is more fitted and more suited to me. So that was the very official moment that I let go of my ever first ring. I put it somewhere and even misplaced it.

I enjoyed the second one. Every time my friends see it to me, they say “Oh, it’s new! You deserve it.” I felt that I have a better self now—my self-esteem increased and my self-confidence boosted. I even loved my dad more because he was the one who rewarded me of it.

But fate is really playful.

When I was so sure of owning that ring, my family encountered a financial problem, so we had no choice but to pound it in a pawnshop. It’s the one of the ways of paying our debts because it is much of great value. Again, it’s been so hard for me, but for the sake of my family, I did. But dad promised to give it back to me as soon as we pay all of our debts. It produced patience on my part. I lived my life without wearing any kinds of ring and it gently made me realized that I do not need it as of the moment.

One day, as I was walking in the town, I dropped by a jewelry kiosk. I was looking for a something like my previous ring but have found none. Then I took a glimpse into a silver ring. It was not the nicest in there but I found something different on it; I just could not say what makes it special on my sight. As I was gazing on it, I noticed that there were like rusts on it—just a little— so I thought it wasn’t genuine. I asked the lady there, “Are those rusts?”. She replied, “No, those were only dusts. I can’t seem to find time on cleaning it. It’s good you told me. You may even think that’s not true, but it is.” Despite her explanation about it, I still have thoughts behind my head that the spots I saw were rusts and not dusts. However, it makes me smile up to ears for a reason I do not know. It’s like I’m starting to get attached with it: Maybe because it costs just like of what I have in my pocket or I think it will be cute on my finger. I don’t know the exact reason but, it seems I like to try it.  Still I’m not sure of it so I told myself “I’ll just wait for the right time. If dad wants it, then I will buy it. As of now, I will leave it there.” I left the store.

On the next days, upon cleaning my room, I saw my old toy ring in a corner. It made me remind of the happy memories I had with it. I had butterflies in my stomach; I felt like so excited on seeing it again. When I played with it, I discovered that it can be adjusted! I was surprised! Then Dad called again saying that he’s going to retrieve my golden ring on the next month, so I must wait if I truly want it to be back. I got so worried, “What if it will not be returned to me anymore?”, but I must hold on to my father’s promise. Then I returned to the jewelry store with my dad where I saw the silver ring before. I asked him if he likes it because I’m starting to like it; he said “It looks good but, how about your golden ring? How will you wear them at the same time on your right finger ring?” He added as he laughed “And Child, you said that you saw your old toy ring and discovered that it’s adjustable! So it’s not surprising to me that you want to wear that again even you’re a young lady now. I witnessed how you treasured it. However, you can’t wear those three at the same time!”

The air got colder and I had this feeling of blues when I realized about what dad said. How can I wear those three if I only got a single ring finger on my right hand? I’m about to fall on the hole that someone dug.  On the first ring, my destiny gave me the chance to see it and wear it again. The second ring however, is still on an area which I think is safe and I’m getting it next month; I still missed of having it again. And the third one is not as nice as the previous one but it makes me smile up to ears. I just could not buy it because there is something hindering me to get it (definitely it’s not my dad), so I left it in a pending state , but the lady in there told me that another person went to the store and told her that she’s going to buy it as soon as she gets her salary. I got lonely for I saw it first but I did not buy it.

Dad understood my situation and said “Child, I know it’s hard for you to choose between the three because as I can see, each has its own uniqueness and importance to you. If only you have three ring fingers on your right hand, then you can wear those at the same time—with that, you’ll not be able to think of it. But remember that during your elementary and high school, according to the law of impenetrability, ‘you cannot occupy two objects at the same time’, worse, with three objects! So all you have to do now is first, listen to me for I am your father. Second, wait if your old toy ring will be destroyed first on the three, or if your golden ring will be here on the next month, or if the silver ring will not be bought. Last is that, do not think of those rings first—of what to wear, when to wear it, etc.— come, let’s eat ice cream!”

It made me smiled again. Whatever remains in the end, will be worn in my ring finger.