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| Art: Lisa D'Cruz, 5, India |
There was once a farmer who
owned a small piece of land and lived happily with his family in his humble
house.
A Goddess, who watched over
the farmer, appeared to him one day and said,
“I am pleased with you. I would like to grant you a wish.”
The farmer bowed down
before the Goddess and said,
“O Goddess, please make me rich.”
The Goddess asked,
“Why do you want to become rich? You already have everything you need to make you happy.”
The farmer replied,
“Being rich will make me happier.”
The Goddess said,
“Think again before you ask for this wish. Please visit two houses in the neighbouring town. One is called the House of Secret Wealth and the other is called the House of Useful Wealth.”
The farmer set out for the neighbouring
town. When he reached there, he was very hungry and tired. He went to the House
of Secret Wealth. The house was very grand and decorated with treasures from all over the
country. The owner of the house ignored the farmer completely and walked away proudly.
The lady of the house went shopping with her friends. The children fought with each other and threw tantrums for silly reasons. There were many servants in the house. One of them gave him some leftovers to
eat and told him to sleep under a tree in the garden.
Next day, the farmer
visited the House of Useful Wealth. It was a simple house with no servants. The
man of the house greeted him and the lady of the house served him a
home-cooked hot meal. Their children cheerfully played games with the farmer. Later they told him to rest in their sparsely furnished guest room. The
farmer felt satisfied and rested.
When he returned to his own
town, the Goddess appeared again.
She asked, “Well? Have you got a wish to make?”
The farmer replied,
“O Goddess, I have been such a fool. It is wiser to be happier than to be rich. I ask you for the gift of wisdom and happiness.”
The Goddess smiled and
granted him his wish.
(Retold)
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