The Honest Farmer and the Magic Seeds

The Honest Farmer and the Magic Seeds

Once upon a time, in a quiet village nestled between rolling hills and golden fields, there lived a humble farmer named Arjun. He was known throughout the village for his honesty and hard work. Every morning before dawn, he would rise, tend to his fields, and return home only after the sun had set. Though he wasn’t rich, he always shared what little he had with those in need.

One day, while plowing his field, Arjun discovered a small, glowing pouch buried deep in the soil. Curious, he opened it and found three golden seeds inside. A note accompanied them: "These are magic seeds. Plant them with care, and they will grow into trees that bear fruits of great value. But remember—only one fruit may be taken each day from each tree. Greed will bring ruin."

At first, Arjun thought it was some kind of prank, but something about the seeds felt different. That night, he decided to plant them with care, just as the note instructed. The next morning, to his amazement, three tiny saplings had sprouted. Within a week, they had grown into full-sized trees, each bearing golden apples that shimmered like sunlight.

Arjun was overjoyed. Each day, he picked one apple from each tree and sold them at the market. With the money, he paid off his debts, repaired his house, and even helped other villagers in need. Word spread quickly about the farmer who now lived comfortably without working as hard as before.

Among the villagers was a man named Ravi, Arjun’s neighbor. Ravi was envious of Arjun’s sudden fortune. One day, pretending to be friendly, Ravi asked Arjun how he had become so prosperous. After much hesitation, Arjun told him about the magic seeds and showed him the trees.

Ravi's eyes sparkled with greed. "Only one fruit per day?" he muttered to himself. "What a waste! If I took more, I could be rich beyond imagination!"

That very night, under the cover of darkness, Ravi sneaked into Arjun’s farm and stole the three magic seeds. He planted them in his own field and waited eagerly. Just like with Arjun, the trees grew overnight. The next morning, Ravi couldn't contain his excitement. Ignoring the warning on the original pouch, he plucked ten fruits at once.

To his delight, the fruits were real gold. He danced with joy and began taking even more the next day. But by the third day, the trees began to wither. The leaves turned black, the branches cracked, and soon, the trees were nothing but dry stumps. The magic had vanished.

Meanwhile, Arjun returned to find his trees gone and Ravi looking sullen and defeated. When confronted, Ravi confessed everything. Instead of anger, Arjun looked at him with pity. “You didn’t understand the lesson,” he said gently. “The magic wasn’t in the seeds alone—it was in patience, gratitude, and respect for nature’s gifts.”

From that day on, Ravi changed. He started working honestly, learned to appreciate what he had, and slowly rebuilt his life with dignity.

As for Arjun, he continued living humbly. Though the magic trees were gone, he still had the values that made him truly rich—kindness, integrity, and compassion.

Moral of the Story:

Greed leads to loss, while honesty and contentment bring lasting happiness