The Golden Thread

There once lived a widow and her son, Peter. Peter was a very lazy boy who always daydreamed. One day, while sitting in his classroom, he was lost in thought when his teacher asked, Peter, what are you thinking about

He replied, Im thinking about what I will become when I grow up.

Be patient. Theres plenty of time to think about that. You should know that growing up doesnt happen overnight it takes time, the teacher said.

Peter would quickly lose interest in whatever he was doing and start thinking about something else. At school, he wished time would pass faster so he could go home. On Sunday nights, he wished the holidays would never end. But the thing he enjoyed the most was playing with his friend, Leah. He often imagined marrying her when they grew up.

One hot summer afternoon, Peter went into the forest and felt sleepy. Suddenly, he heard someone calling his name. He opened his eyes and saw an old woman standing before him, holding a silver ball from which a golden silk thread shimmered.

Showing him the ball, the woman said, Peter, look at what I have brought for you!

Peter touched the thread curiously and asked, What is this

The old woman said, This is the thread of your life. If you dont touch it, time will pass at its natural pace. But if you wish for time to move faster, just pull this thread a little, and an hour will pass like a minute. However, once pulled, the thread can never be put back—it will disappear like smoke. This golden thread is a gift for you, but if you accept it, you must never tell anyone. If you do, you will die the very same day. Now, tell me, do you want this ball

Peter nodded. The old woman handed him the ball and vanished instantly. Peter examined the ball carefully, put it in his pocket, and ran home happily.

The next day, he grew impatient in school and wished to go home. He quickly took the ball from his pocket and pulled the thread slightly. Instantly, the school day ended, and he found himself at home.

He continued doing this every day. One day, he thought, What if I pull the thread a little more Then Ill never have to go to school again! He did just that, and suddenly, he found himself working as an apprentice to a carpenter.

Then he thought, Why should I wait any longer to marry Leah He pulled the thread again, and instantly, he and Leah were married. When he learned that Leah was expecting a child, he could not bear the wait. He pulled the thread, and soon, his son was born.

He wanted more children, and he wanted to see them grow up quickly. So he kept pulling the thread, fulfilling all his desires instantly. But soon, he noticed that his hair had turned white, and his face was wrinkled. He regretted his choices and thought, I never got to enjoy life. My days have disappeared like smoke rings.

Filled with sorrow, he went for a walk in the forest. There, he heard the old womans voice again: Peter, have you lived a wonderful life

No, Peter said. I want to live my life as I did before, without your magical ball.

Very well, as you wish. Here, take my ball, said the old woman. She took the ball from Peter and vanished.

Peter, wake up! Youre going to be late for school, his mother said, gently shaking him.

Peter woke up from his dream and was relieved that it had only been a dream. His life had not been wasted because of that magical ball. He had learned an important lesson: everything has its own time.