Once in a tranquil village, a diligent farmer, his wife, and their seven children led a simple life. Despite the farmer's hard work on a small patch of land, sustaining the family was a challenge. In his quest for solace, every morning, the farmer fervently prayed at the village temple, sharing his struggles with God.
One day, a benevolent saint overheard the farmer's heartfelt prayers and, moved by compassion, decided to visit him. The saint blessed the farmer with a magical tree, explaining that every leaf it shed would turn to gold if carefully collected and stored. The farmer, initially skeptical, witnessed the enchanting transformation of a leaf and embraced newfound prosperity.
As the magic tree flourished, the farmer's wealth grew. He bought more land, hired workers, and enjoyed a life of luxury. However, his insatiable greed led him to pluck all the leaves at once, hoping to amass a fortune. To his dismay, none turned to gold; they withered away. The magic tree, robbed of its leaves, never sprouted again.
In his despair, the farmer realized the true cost of his greed. He sought the saint at the temple, but the sage had departed. The valuable lesson learned, the farmer understood that contentment with his blessings would have led to lasting prosperity.
This fable echoes an ancient saying: "Grain collected by ants, honey collected by bees, and wealth accumulated by a greedy person, will all be destroyed along with their source." The moral is clear: unchecked greed can diminish the very source of one's fortune.
"The Fable of The Golden Leaves" reminds us of the timeless wisdom ingrained in tales. Greed, if left unchecked, can erode the foundations of prosperity. The story encourages gratitude for our blessings and serves as a gentle reminder to find contentment in the simple joys of life.
By Anuradha Sundara Raman