7 Deadly Sins #3 Envy: Maya and Leena

Once upon a time in a bustling town, there lived two young women named Maya and Leena. They had been friends since childhood, growing up together in the same neighborhood. Though they shared many things, their lives took very different paths.

 

Maya was a talented artist, known for her beautiful paintings that captured the essence of the world around her. Her work was admired by many, and she was often invited to exhibit her art at prestigious galleries. Maya’s success brought her recognition and praise, and she quickly became the talk of the town.

 

Leena, on the other hand, had chosen a different career. She was a skilled writer, known for her imaginative stories that captivated readers. While she had some success, it wasn’t as widespread as Maya’s. Leena enjoyed her work, but as time went on, she couldn’t help but notice the growing admiration that Maya received.

 

At first, Leena was happy for her friend’s success. She attended Maya’s exhibitions, congratulated her, and even shared Maya’s achievements with others. But as Maya’s fame grew, so did something dark within Leena—envy. She began to resent the attention Maya was getting, wishing that she, too, could be as celebrated.

 

One day, Maya received an invitation to showcase her art at an international exhibition. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and Maya was thrilled. She eagerly shared the news with Leena, expecting her friend to be happy for her. But instead of joy, Leena felt a deep pang of envy. Why was Maya always the one to succeed? Why wasn’t she in the spotlight?

 

Question: How do you think Leena felt when Maya shared her exciting news? What might have caused those feelings?

 

Unable to contain her jealousy, Leena began to distance herself from Maya. She stopped congratulating her on her achievements, and her conversations became cold and distant. Maya noticed the change but couldn’t understand what had gone wrong.

 

One evening, after another successful exhibition, Maya invited Leena to celebrate. But Leena, consumed by envy, decided to hurt Maya instead. She spread rumors about Maya’s work, suggesting that her paintings were not original and that she had copied ideas from other artists. The rumors quickly spread, tarnishing Maya’s reputation.

 

Maya was heartbroken. She couldn’t understand why someone would say such hurtful things about her. The once bright light of her success began to dim as people started doubting her talent. Meanwhile, Leena, though she had succeeded in bringing Maya down, didn’t feel any better. In fact, she felt worse—empty, guilty, and alone.

 

Question: What do you think Leena expected to feel after spreading the rumors? How do you think she felt instead?

 

One day, Leena saw a new painting by Maya, one that was raw and emotional, depicting the pain of betrayal. It was then that Leena realized the extent of the harm she had caused. Overcome with guilt, she knew she had to make things right.

Leena approached Maya, tears in her eyes, and confessed everything. She admitted that her envy had driven her to act out of spite and that she deeply regretted her actions. Maya, though hurt, listened to Leena’s apology. She understood that envy could cloud one’s judgment, but she also knew that true friendship was built on trust and honesty.

 

Maya forgave Leena, but their friendship was never the same. Leena had learned a painful lesson—that envy not only harms others but also destroys the person who harbors it. From that day on, Leena vowed to work on her own happiness and achievements without comparing herself to others.

 

Moral: Envy is a destructive force that can ruin relationships and lives. Instead of being envious of others, focus on your own journey and celebrate the successes of those around you. True happiness comes from within, not from comparing yourself to others.