Tale of the King and His Wealth
Once lived a great king who was getting old and wanted
to retire. One day he announced that all his personal wealth would be
distributed to the public. However one would have to earn his share as the
king did not want the wealth to go to unworthy. His wealth would be in the
seven stories of his palace. One might take whatever one wished, he
announced. The word spread fast and people gathered. No one wanted to miss
this opportunity of getting rich. The entrance was opened and people eagerly
rushed in.
Presented to them were common items of pottery, glass and earth. They
checked every place. Nothing else was there. People got disappointed. This
was not what they had expected. Many left cursing. Others decided to try
second floor. As they moved there they found things which were costlier but
nothing which could be called wealth. Many left again. It was wastage of
time after all. The king either had gone mad or played a bad joke.
Rest of them pushed themselves to the next level
through a passage that was narrower and steeper. Here displayed were some
coins of lesser value. Discouraged quite a number left again. I was clear
now that the king had really played a joke. There was no wealth to be found.
Few who were encouraged enough resolved to go to further. They had to walk a
path harder than previous. Those who could not tread returned.
Only a handful reached fourth storey and were rewarded
with silver coins. Joyfully many stuffed and left. Thank God! The day was
not wasted on some misadventure. They had come from far. They were tired
now. They did not want to go further. They had work at their homes too.
However, ten people decided to go ahead. It was a very difficult journey.
The was almost vertical and very rough. Only four could reach next level.
Others left, not being able to continue. Those who reached found gold coins
in abundance. Two decided to end here and left with gold happily.
Two went further on a path that was almost impossible
to walk. They did manage to reach sixth floor. It was a hall full of
diamonds of finest quality. Pleased with this one started filling his bags
whereas other went into deep thoughts. “What happened? You don’t want this”
asked the one who was filling. “I wonder what could be next!” “What else do
you want? This is more than enough for seven lifetimes. Moreover I can’t see
any doorway” Other man was astonished. “But there is one floor left” said
the man who was determined and began his search. “You have gone mad” said
other and left with diamonds.
There was actually no door. The man searched every
corner but none was to be found. That was until he saw roof and a rope
hanging too small to reach. He jumped and failed. He tried repeatedly
without success till he could not jump. There has to be some way, he thought
as he lay exhausted. There must be some way. It was then an idea struck him.
He made a heap of diamonds to reach and pulled the rope. A doorway appeared
in one of the walls. Beyond that was a beautiful ladder.
As he climbed a hand pulled him to seventh floor. The
king himself stood there “Welcome O worthy one! I can retire in peace now”
The man was appointed as king next day.
Nature too offers us a fortune of wealth that we can earn. Everybody wishes
to be rich but not all are ready to fully walk the path that leads to. Most
of us who start get discouraged by initial unsuccessful attempts and stop.
Others remain satisfied with the nickels they are offered and leave the
journey. Rare ones have the determination to find actual wealth. We can stop
at silver or go beyond diamonds.
How far would you go? |