The General’s Greed and the Price of Betrayal

The Bargain for Prosperity

A Tale of Greed, Guilt, and Redemption

Madiha Zaka Bhatti


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The Commander-in-Chief of Malikistan’s army rode proudly through the bustling city with his soldiers, as he did every morning. The streets echoed with the clatter of hooves, and the people bowed respectfully as he passed. He was a man of authority, discipline, and national pride — but also of quiet vanity.

As they neared the main bazaar, the general’s sharp eyes caught sight of a beggar standing in a corner, staring fixedly at him. There was something strange about that man — a certain glimmer in his eyes that held the general’s gaze.

The beggar slowly approached.

“What do you want?” the general demanded sternly.

The beggar smiled faintly. After a moment’s silence, he whispered, “If you seek prosperity, come to my hut in the northern woods tonight.”

Before the general could respond, the beggar turned and disappeared into the crowd.

The general shook off the odd encounter and rode on, dismissing the man’s words as nonsense.


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Weeks passed. The general’s life went on peacefully — until one evening, his wife spoke, her voice sharp with desire.

“I want a palace-like home,” she said. “All your fellow officers live in grand houses, yet we still live in this old one.”

“My dear,” he sighed, “I can’t build a palace with my current salary.”

But she persisted — day after day, week after week. Finally, frustrated and weary, the general remembered the beggar’s words: ‘If you seek prosperity…’

That night, under a silver moon, he saddled his horse and rode toward the northern forest. After a long ride, he saw a faint light flickering through the trees — a small hut stood there.

He tied his horse and entered.

The same beggar sat inside, his face calm, almost knowing.

“I knew you would come,” said the beggar with a smile.

The general’s voice trembled slightly. “You said you could bring me prosperity. My wife desires a palace.”

The beggar opened a wooden chest beside him. Inside were four leather pouches overflowing with gold coins.

“I can give you not just these,” the beggar said, “but a thousand more — in exchange for a single task.”

The general’s eyes widened. “A thousand bags of gold? For one task? Tell me what it is!”

The beggar’s tone hardened. “You must deliver to me some of your country’s military secrets.”

The general stepped back, his face turning pale. “What! Are you mad? Who are you?”

“Do not question,” the beggar said coldly. “Prosperity never comes without a price. So, do we have a deal?”

The general hesitated — torn between greed and duty. Finally, temptation won. He nodded slowly.

The next day, he handed over confidential documents.


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Days went by. The general’s wife rejoiced at their new mansion, unaware of the dark bargain behind it. But inside, the general felt restless. Guilt gnawed at him. He began seeing the same dream every night — a shadow covering the sun, darkness descending upon him.

One night, trembling with fear, he rode to the royal astrologer’s house.

The old man opened the door, startled to see the commander standing there at midnight.

“Your Excellency? What brings you here so late?”

“I’ve had the same dream again and again,” the general said anxiously. “Tell me its meaning.”

The astrologer listened carefully, then spoke solemnly:

“It means you will see the sky for only three more days… and then—”

“That’s enough!” the general interrupted. “I understand.” He turned and left abruptly.


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At dawn, he rushed to the palace.

“Your Majesty,” he said to the king, bowing low, “I must confess before I die.”

The king frowned. “What are you saying?”

“I was blinded by greed. I sold our nation’s secrets to the enemy. They are preparing for war.”

The king rose in fury. “You betrayed your country! Guards! Take him away! He shall be executed publicly tomorrow.”

As the guards dragged him away, the general cried, “Give me one chance to atone for my sin! Let me fight the enemy myself. I know their plans. Only I can stop them!”

The king hesitated — then nodded. “Very well. But my soldiers will keep watch over you.”


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For three days and nights, the war raged fiercely. The general fought with unmatched bravery, leading charge after charge. On the third day, the enemy was crushed.

Bruised and exhausted, the general returned to the palace.

The king looked at him solemnly. “Though you deserve death, your courage has redeemed you. Your execution is canceled. Instead, you shall spend one year in the dark well as punishment.”

The general bowed. “But… I was supposed to die today. The astrologer said so!”

The king replied, “Death is inevitable for every man. If you had remembered that before your betrayal, you might never have sinned. Why wait to see death before fearing it?”

His words fell like thunder in the silent hall.


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As guards led the general away, he saw the royal astrologer standing nearby and asked bitterly, “So your prediction was wrong?”

The astrologer shook his head. “No, Commander. You heard only half of it. I said you would see the sky for three more days — and then…”

He paused, then continued, “You left before I finished. The full meaning was: You will see the sky for three days, and after that, you will live for a long time in a place where no sunlight reaches.”

The general’s face fell as realization dawned. The astrologer was right — the dark well awaited him.


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Moral:
When man forgets his mortality, greed blinds him. But the remembrance of death purifies the soul and brings true redemption.