The World Is Cruel to Men
M. Zakyuddin Munziri
@zakiego
Originally written in Bahasa Indonesia.
On his birthday, a man never expects to be celebrated.
It’s fine by him. It’s all the same. Nothing changes.
But on the birthday of someone he loves, he tries—with all his might—to make the people closest to him happy.
His happiness doesn’t come from himself, but from being able to make others happy—the ones he loves.
Men are valued for the results of their efforts. Not the effort.
That is cruel. And it hardens you.
Some men try very hard, as hard as they can. Yet sometimes what they get isn’t what they hoped for.
The world won’t be kind to them.
The world turns its back, even refusing to look.
Men keep going, as if they’re strong.
Yet in their hearts, they need someone who will listen.
All men want to be loved, regardless of what they achieve.
But the world isn’t like that.
To women: if there is a man beside you, treat him as a human being.
Don’t judge him only by the results, but by the effort.
Value him because he is human.
Value your man because he has a good heart.
Value your man because he speaks with kindness.
Value your man because his effort is sincere.
Value your man because he is the one who most wants to make you happy.
It’s enough that a man is hard on himself—the world doesn’t need to be.
Hold his hand. Ask about his day, what he feels.
The man who looks strong beside you now is no different from the little boy twenty years ago.
He is still the boy who is calm beside his mother. Who would cry in his mother’s lap. Who knows his mother is home.
That his mother is home.
That his mother is home.
That then you become that home next.
Once again, be kind to men.
From the outside he may look strong, but in truth they also want to be asked about their day.
Finished writing on Saturday 23:42, December 27, 2025 in Pelaihari.
