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Frugal Grandmother Stops Giving Grandchildren Money After Overhearing Their Cruel Remarks

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A frugal 70-year-old grandmother in Japan, living on a pension, decided to stop giving her grandchildren NT$16,000 annually due to dwindling savings.
  • She overheard her grandchildren complaining that they wouldn't visit if there was no pocket money, revealing their true motives.
  • The incident left the grandmother disillusioned, realizing her grandchildren's smiles were motivated by money rather than genuine affection.

A 70-year-old grandmother in Japan, living a frugal life on a pension, recently experienced a heartbreaking realization about her grandchildren's affections. Kumiko Sato (a pseudonym), who lives alone and relies on a monthly pension of approximately 140,000 yen (about NT$28,000), decided to stop her annual tradition of giving her four grandchildren 80,000 yen (about NT$16,000) in total.

I always looked forward to everyone coming back for Obon, but this year, there's something I have to tell you first.

— Kumiko SatoHer initial statement to her children about financial difficulties.

Sato's decision stemmed from her dwindling savings. With only about 3 million yen (around NT$600,000) in emergency funds and facing rising living costs, she felt it necessary to cut back. Her knee problems had also forced her to quit her part-time job, leaving her pension as her sole source of income. Despite her financial constraints, she had continued the tradition for over a decade, cherishing the grandchildren's smiles during holidays like Obon and New Year.

I heard that it seems like we won't get pocket money this year.

— GrandchildOverheard conversation revealing the grandchildren's true feelings.

She had explained her financial difficulties to her eldest son and daughter, who assured her not to worry. However, during a family gathering, while tidying up in the kitchen, Sato inadvertently overheard a conversation among her grandchildren. They were heard complaining about the lack of pocket money and questioning the point of visiting if they wouldn't receive any.

If there's no pocket money, then there's no need to come.

— GrandchildOverheard conversation revealing the grandchildren's true feelings.

One grandchild even remarked that they would only come if their parents insisted, finding their grandmother's home boring. This revelation shattered Sato's perception. The sweet "Thank you, Grandma" and the bright smiles she had cherished were, she realized, tinged with the expectation of receiving money. The overheard conversation left a bitter taste, casting a shadow over her past expectations and the genuine warmth she believed existed in her family relationships.

If it weren't for my parents wanting to come back, I wouldn't bother coming. Grandma's house is so boring.

— GrandchildOverheard conversation revealing the grandchildren's true feelings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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