From Seeds to Trees: A Father & Son Story on Saving Money for the Future

"Dad," Devansh said, "Why do you always tell me to save money? I don’t get it. Why not just spend it when I need something?"

It was a peaceful Saturday morning in Mumbai. Devansh, an inquisitive 18-year-old, sat in the garden, gazing at the greenery around him. His father, Amol, sat beside him, sipping his coffee as they enjoyed the calm of the morning together.

"Dad," Devansh said, "Why do you always tell me to save money? I don’t get it. Why not just spend it when I need something?"

Amol smiled and put his cup down. He could see that his son was puzzled, so he decided to explain it in a simple way.

"Devansh," Amol began, "imagine this: You have a small plant, and you need to take care of it for it to grow into a big tree. If you keep watering it and giving it sunlight, it will grow taller and stronger. Saving money is like planting that small seed. At first, it might not seem like much, but if you take care of it over time, it can grow into something very big."

Devansh thought for a moment and then asked, "But how does my money grow, Dad? Just saving it in my piggy bank won’t make it bigger, right?"

Amol nodded. "You’re right. Simply saving money in a piggy bank won’t make it grow. But there’s a way to make your money grow, just like a plant grows faster if you put it in the right soil and water it well. This way is called investing, and one of the best ways to do it is through the stock market."

"The stock market?" Devansh repeated, his eyes wide. "What’s that?"

Amol smiled and leaned forward. "Okay, let me explain. The stock market is like a huge market where people buy and sell pieces of different companies. Let’s say there’s a company called 'Suneel’s Electronics.' If you think this company is going to do well, you can buy a small part of it—this is called a ‘share.’ When you buy a share, you’re like a small owner of that company."

Devansh’s face lit up. "So, if the company does well, I make money?"

"Exactly!" Amol said. "If the company grows and becomes more successful, the value of your share increases. This is how your money can grow. It’s not magic, but it does take time, just like a plant growing into a tree. The more shares you have in companies that are growing, the more your money grows."

Devansh looked a little confused. "But what if the company doesn’t grow? What if it loses money?"

Amol nodded. "Good question, Devansh. Just like not every plant in a garden grows well, not every company will always do well. Sometimes companies can face difficulties. But this is why it’s important to not put all your money into one company. Just like in a garden, you plant different types of seeds—flowers, vegetables, trees—so that if one plant doesn’t grow, others will."

"So, you’re saying I should save some money, and then invest it in different companies?" Devansh asked, starting to understand.

"Yes," Amol replied. "By saving money first and then investing it, you are helping your money grow over time. And remember, the earlier you start saving and investing, the more time your money has to grow, just like a tree that takes years to become big and strong."

Devansh thought for a moment. "So, saving and investing is like planting a garden for the future, right? I start with a small seed, but if I take care of it, it can grow into something big?"

"Exactly!" Amol smiled, proud of how his son was understanding. "And remember, Devansh, the more you learn about saving and investing, the better decisions you can make. It’s not just about spending money today—it’s about building something for your future, something that will help you when you need it most."

Devansh nodded. He felt a new sense of responsibility. "I think I get it now, Dad. Saving is important, and if I invest it in the right way, it can grow for my future."

"Yes, Devansh. And remember, it’s never too early to start. Every little bit you save and invest will make a big difference later."

As they both sat there, watching the sunlight warm up the garden, Devansh felt more confident about saving his money and using it wisely. He understood that, just like a tree grows over time, so too would his savings, with the right care.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.