The Greedy Merchant and the Honest Woodcutter

The Greedy Merchant and the Honest Woodcutter

BY:Khan

Once upon a time, in a small village on the edge of a vast forest, there lived a poor woodcutter. Every morning he would set out with his worn axe to chop wood, which he sold in the market to earn just enough for bread and a little fire for his family. His life was simple, yet he carried within him a heart full of contentment and honesty.

One day, while cutting wood deep inside the forest, the woodcutter noticed something unusual hidden among a cluster of old trees. At first, he thought it was just another rock, but when he went closer, he realized it was a stone idol, half-buried under the earth. Out of curiosity, he moved the idol aside, and to his surprise, beneath it appeared a small hollow in the ground.

The woodcutter began clearing the soil around it, and soon his eyes widened in disbelief—inside lay a treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, jewels, and ornaments glittering in the sunlight. For a poor man who had known only hardship, it was a sight beyond imagination. His heart raced, yet he quickly realized that he could not carry such a vast fortune alone. He covered the treasure carefully with earth and branches, deciding to return later with help.

As he walked back toward the village, still overwhelmed by what he had found, he came across a wealthy merchant traveling along the same road. The merchant had six camels loaded with goods he had just sold in a nearby town. The woodcutter thought for a moment and then said to the merchant:

“Brother, I have discovered a great treasure hidden in the forest. If you help me carry it out, I will show you where it lies. But I have one condition—you must share half of it with me.”

The merchant’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He could hardly contain his eagerness. “Tell me quickly,” he said impatiently. “I agree to your condition without hesitation.”

The woodcutter then led the merchant to the hidden spot and uncovered the treasure before him. Together, they filled the merchant’s six camels with gold, silver, and jewels until the animals staggered under the weight. In addition, the woodcutter found a small box containing a precious ruby, which he quietly slipped into his pocket.

True to his promise, the merchant handed over three camels loaded with treasure to the woodcutter. But as they began their journey back, greed started whispering in the merchant’s heart.

“Why did I give him so much?” he thought to himself. “If I had offered him less, he would still have agreed. He is a poor, simple man; he does not know the value of this wealth.”

At last, the merchant turned to the woodcutter and said, “Dear friend, I have already given you three camels full of treasure, but you are a humble man. Two camels are more than enough for your needs. Give me back one, and you will still have plenty.”

The woodcutter, who was modest by nature, replied kindly, “Very well, take one more camel. Two will be sufficient for me.”

The merchant smiled, thanking him, but inside he felt no gratitude. Instead, his greed grew stronger. After a little while, he spoke again:

“Good sir, you are like a saint, content with little. But I am a man of the world, burdened with children and responsibilities. Why not give me the other two camels as well? I will pay you some money in return, and your needs will still be fulfilled.”

The woodcutter hesitated but then agreed, thinking, “Perhaps it is destiny that I should remain poor.” He accepted a small pouch of coins in exchange and handed over the rest of the camels.

But the merchant’s greed had no end. His mind now burned with a new plan. “Why should this fool even keep the money?” he thought. “And what if there is still more treasure hidden in the forest? If I can find it, I will be richer than any king.”

So he left his servant with the camels and returned alone to the forest, determined to uncover the rest of the treasure. For hours he searched, digging and wandering among the trees, but he could not find the place again. Exhausted and frustrated, he sat under a tree to rest.

Just then, a lion appeared from the thicket, its golden eyes fixed upon him. The merchant panicked and tried to run, but the lion leapt with a mighty roar and brought him down. Within moments, the greedy man’s cries were silenced, and his body was torn apart.

The treasure he had longed for remained in the earth, and the fortune he had loaded onto the camels was carried away by his servant, never to return to him.

Meanwhile, the humble woodcutter lived on peacefully with the ruby he had found. It was not enough to make him a king, but it was sufficient to provide a comfortable life for his family. He never let greed blind him, and because of his honesty and contentment, he enjoyed a life of quiet happiness.

Moral of the Story

Greed is a bottomless pit that never satisfies. The woodcutter’s honesty and simplicity brought him peace, while the merchant’s endless craving for more cost him everything—his wealth, his honor, and even his life.