The Golden Vase: A Journey from Dreams to the Real Treasure

The Golden Vase and the Real Treasure

BY:Ubaid

Sohail had never imagined that one ordinary day would turn into something extraordinary. He was cleaning his room when his eyes caught a golden vase tucked away in the corner. Out of curiosity, he peered inside—and to his astonishment, he found a crisp 500-rupee note. Alongside it was a handwritten letter:

"This small amount is a reward for your hard work. If you continue studying with the same dedication, you will keep receiving such rewards."

Sohail’s heart raced with joy. To him, this wasn’t just money—it was proof that his efforts were being noticed. Somewhere deep inside, he also believed that this was a sign. Perhaps, one day, he would discover a real treasure. Inspired, he began studying with even greater determination.

At school, his teachers were surprised at first. Sohail, who once struggled in class, was suddenly securing the highest marks in every test. But they soon realized something remarkable: Sohail wasn’t just memorizing lessons; he truly understood what he was learning. His parents and elder sister, Saadia, were overjoyed.

That year, Sohail passed ninth grade with distinction. He could hardly believe it himself—he, who once lagged behind, was now among the top achievers. That evening, when he looked into the golden vase again, another 500-rupee note was waiting for him, along with a letter congratulating him and encouraging him to keep working hard.

Months turned into years, and Sohail kept receiving rewards whenever he excelled. By the time he completed tenth grade, he was listed among the top twenty students in the entire board. His achievement earned him a scholarship, and this time the vase carried a 1000-rupee note with a letter that urged him to keep striving.

Sohail chose medical studies for college. The golden vase rewarded him again, but the letter carried a warning: if he failed to secure admission to a reputable medical college, the promised “treasure” would never be his. Moreover, since he had chosen medicine, he had to become a doctor to be counted among the “special people.”

At first, the condition scared him. He wondered why he hadn’t chosen an easier subject—something that would have guaranteed success. But a few days later, another letter arrived. It warned him that if he allowed fear to distract him, Peristan—the mysterious land from where these letters seemed to come—would stop contacting him altogether. Special people, it reminded him, never back down from challenges.

That letter awakened something powerful inside Sohail. He told himself, “I am brave. I do not fear hard work. Life itself is a struggle, and true living means having a purpose.” With renewed courage, he committed himself to becoming a doctor.

From then on, Sohail lived with discipline. He attended classes, studied late into the night, and only allowed himself short breaks to play cricket in the village field. His perseverance paid off when he passed the competitive entry test with flying colors and secured admission into a medical college. His parents and Saadia shed tears of joy, grateful to God for blessing them with such happiness.

That day, the golden vase held a 2000-rupee note. But more than the money, the letter brought him satisfaction. It congratulated him on his progress and told him that the real treasure would be his the day he completed his house job as a doctor.

Four demanding years followed, filled with relentless study, sleepless nights, and endless examinations. Yet Sohail never gave up. Over time, he changed. He was no longer the dreamy boy chasing an imaginary treasure; he had become a man of resilience, someone who had learned to face life’s trials with courage.

Finally, the day arrived. Sohail graduated with his MBBS degree and began his house job. One evening, with a calm smile on his face, he walked toward the golden vase. His heart pounded, not from curiosity but from a quiet certainty of what awaited him. Inside lay another reward, along with a final letter.

"Dear Sohail, congratulations on your house job. But remember—life itself is a journey of struggle. As long as you live, you must continue to work hard. By now, you must have realized what the true treasure is. The real treasure is the fruit of your labor. You have achieved it. You are a doctor now. If you use your abilities wisely, this treasure will not only benefit you but also serve your nation."

The letter was signed: Saadia from Peristan.

Sohail’s eyes widened. Saadia? He ran outside, where his elder sister was watering the plants. Breathless, he said, “Apa!” His eyes shone with gratitude, his lips curled into a smile, and unspoken thanks poured through his heart.

Saadia looked at him with tears of joy. “So, you finally realized?”

“I knew all along it was you,” Sohail whispered.

From behind, their father’s voice rang out playfully, “Would you still not have understood at this age?” Sohail turned and saw his parents walking toward them, smiling warmly. They all laughed together.

At that moment, Sohail silently thanked God first and then his elder sister, who had guided him toward the real treasure—not of gold or jewels, but of knowledge, perseverance, and purpose.

And so, the boy who once struggled in school discovered that the greatest treasure lies not in riches but in hard work, faith, and the courage to keep moving forward.