In a small, peaceful village, there lived a humble farmer named Raju. He was content with his simple life, cultivating crops and taking care of his family.
One day, while working in his field, he discovered a
strange, glowing stone buried in the soil. Intrigued, Raju picked it up, and as
soon as he did, his surroundings seemed to shimmer with a magical light.
That evening, a mysterious old man appeared at Raju’s
doorstep. He introduced himself as a wandering sage and explained that the
stone was no ordinary rock.
"This is the Stone of Prosperity," said the sage.
"It can grant you anything you desire, but be warned—it comes with a price
that may not be immediately clear."
Raju, excited by the prospect of wealth and comfort, asked
the stone for a bountiful harvest. The next morning, his fields were
overflowing with crops beyond his wildest dreams.
The village buzzed with envy, and Raju’s fame spread far and
wide.
The farmer’s life took a turn as wealth poured in. He built
a grand house, bought more land, and even hired workers to help manage his
growing fortune.
However, with each new request he made to the stone—more
land, more gold, more livestock—Raju noticed something unsettling.
The more he gained, the more he lost in other aspects of his
life. His friends and neighbors began to distance themselves, and his family,
once full of warmth and laughter, grew cold and distant.
One day, Raju realized that his youngest son had fallen ill,
and no doctor could cure him. Desperate, Raju asked the stone for his son’s
health, but nothing happened.
The sage’s warning echoed in his mind, and Raju began to
understand the true cost of his greed.
In his quest for more, Raju had neglected the simple joys of
life—friendship, love, and the happiness of his family.
He had gained everything he wanted but lost everything he
needed. In his despair, he threw the stone into a nearby river, hoping to rid
himself of its curse.
As the stone sank, Raju’s wealth and grand possessions
slowly faded away. But in their place, his family’s warmth returned, and his
son’s health improved.
Moral of The Story:
true prosperity lies not in wealth but in the love and contentment we share
with those around us.