When I was 12 years old kid, we had a trend in my native place to run some small businesses, to learn the basics of running the business. Parents used to allow it only during the summer vacation. I liked reading comics a lot. We had an area in the shop that was free to use. So, my father allowed me to run comics rental in that area during the summer vacation.
My father was a businessman. He owned many small scale businesses. He gave me some tips on how to successfully rent comics for the profit. I was very excited to generate good revenue from this new adventurous business. I started it with 12 comics and ended up with more than 200 comics. I was doing pretty well but still there were many things to learn. I even had a proper stamp for the library, called “Ady’s Library”.
One morning, a child came in and said he wants some comics on rent. I happily did some marketing and said," I have best possible series of comics, better than anyone in this town. " He showed an interest in comics and said he will take ten comics on rent and will return in a week. Wow, I was so happy to have such a rich customer who was willing to rent TEN comics. It was a big order for me. I said "yes yes we can do it but how to trust you? All I know where you stay. What is the guarantee you will bring back my comics? ". He sensed my insecurity. There was a silence for a minute. “Except paying you in advance, I can do all things so that you can trust me," he said. I thought of ideas and remembered my father used to document rental properties agreements. I used a similar step and did the documentation with him. I wrote down his name, his father’s name, etc., and took his signature. I was feeling that something is suspicious as generally people return comics same day and this boy asking for one week. But I was in greed. I made a deal, gave him comics on rent. As per the documentation, he had to return it on May 20th 12PM, one week from that day.
My father used to ask me in the evening about my day in the library business. I told him this story. He knew I will not get books back. He suggested me to wait and watch what happens.
I opened my shop in the morning as usual and had been waiting for him to come and returns comics plus to pay rental fee. 10am, 11am, 12pm.. he did not show up. I thought he may be late in some activities. 2pm, 4pm, 8pm....he did not show up. Next day, one more day, and one more day… he did not show up.I realized something was wrong.
One morning, I saw him passing by from my shop and I asked him to return my comics. "Which comics?," he said. "WHAT? Which comics?," I asked. Then I argued with him, showed him his signature, thumb impression. He initially laughed at me. As our fight became more serious, he said: "Look, I have your comics and I will not return. If you need those, come in my area, fight with me. If you win, I will give you rent and all comics back." I knew he was a good fighter, I realized, I lost comics.
I told entire story to my father. He simply smiled and asked, “What did you learn :)?” I said, “I learned, Cash today, credit tomorrow!!!”
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