The Magical Cave

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived two brothers named James and Michael. James was the elder brother, and Michael was the younger. James was greedy, selfish, and dishonest, while Michael was kind-hearted, honest, and hardworking. Their parents had passed away, leaving behind some property and valuables.

James wanted to take everything for himself—the family wealth and possessions—and he wished to force Michael and his wife out of the house.

One day, over a minor argument, James told Michael outright to leave the house. Michael, feeling helpless, took his wife and moved to another home.

James took all the valuable items left by their parents for himself and handed over the useless junk and scraps to Michael. This way, James became wealthy, but Michael remained poor. To support himself and his wife, Michael started working hard as a labourer, earning just enough to buy two meals a day.

One day, Michael’s wife fell seriously ill. Michael couldn’t work because of her condition, and he didn’t have enough money to buy medicine. He felt hopeless and didn’t know what to do.

In his despair, he remembered a small hill behind their house with an old, twisted tree that bore no fruits or leaves. He decided to cut the tree and sell the wood to buy medicine for his wife.

Carrying his axe, Michael headed to the tree. Just as he was about to chop it, a soft voice whispered, “Please don’t cut this tree.”

Michael was startled and looked around to find the source of the voice. His eyes landed on a beautiful, colourful bird perched on a branch.

The bird spoke again, “This tree is my home, and in my nest, I have tiny babies. If you cut down this tree, my babies will fall to the ground and get hurt. Please have mercy on me. In return, I will give you enough wealth to live a peaceful life forever. Take this bag and come with me.”

Michael dropped his axe and went back home. He took a bag and returned to the colourful bird, who motioned for him to follow her as she flew toward a dense forest.

After a short while, they reached the entrance of a cave. The bird said, “Go inside this cave and fill your bag with as much treasure as you want.”

Michael stepped inside the cave and was stunned by what he saw. Piles of gold, silver, diamonds, and pearls sparkled everywhere, lighting up the entire cave. He quickly started filling his bag with the precious treasures.

Suddenly, the bird’s voice echoed, “Hurry! Hurry! Get out of the cave or the entrance will close!”

Michael tightly held his bag and ran outside just in time. The stone door slammed shut behind him with a loud noise. Though his bag wasn’t completely full, he had more than enough wealth to last a lifetime.

Overjoyed, he thanked the bird and headed home. When his wife saw the treasure, she immediately recovered from her illness. The couple began planning how to use their newfound fortune.

God had changed their fate. Michael built a big house where he and his wife lived happily and comfortably.

James was shocked to see Michael’s sudden wealth. One day, he visited Michael’s house.

Michael warmly welcomed his elder brother and, forgetting past grievances, treated him with kindness. During the visit, James cunningly discovered Michael’s secret. Michael shared the whole story: how he met the colourful bird and found the magical cave filled with treasures.

Hearing this, James rushed home, took his axe, and grabbed a big bag. He decided to do the same — cut the tree, meet the bird, and fill his bag with gold and jewels, hoping to become richer than Michael.

When James reached the tree, he searched eagerly for the bird, but she wasn’t there. Angry, he swung his axe at the tree, causing it to shake.

Suddenly, a frightened, soft voice said, “Please don’t cut this tree.”

James saw the bird fluttering nervously with her three little babies peeking out of the nest.

But James was not only greedy and selfish, he was also impatient. Without listening fully, he snapped, “If you don’t take me to the cave with the gold and jewels right now, I will cut down this tree, and your babies will fall and die!”

The scared bird quickly said, “Bring your bag from home, and I will take you to the cave.”

James said, “I have my bag. Take me there now.”

The bird led James to the cave just like she did with Michael. When James saw the treasure, he greedily began stuffing his bag to the brim.

After a while, the bird warned, “Hurry! Leave the cave, or the entrance will close!”

But James ignored her, focused only on filling his bag. His heart didn’t want to leave.

The bird shouted in frustration, “You foolish and greedy man! Hurry up, or you will be trapped here forever!”

Almost immediately, the cave entrance started closing slowly. James finally realized the danger. Though he had filled his bag, it was very heavy and difficult to carry.

He managed to get out just in time, but his bag was stuck inside the cave.

James tried to reach in and pull the bag out, but the door was fully closed.

He returned home empty-handed. Now he understood the consequences of his greed and his poor treatment of Michael.

Filled with regret, James apologized to his brother and promised to change and live a better life from that day forward.