The Poor Man’s Gift

The Village of Generosity

In a small village nestled between rolling hills and endless fields of wheat, there lived a poor man named Salim. Though he had very little, his heart was full of kindness. He worked as a woodcutter, earning just enough to buy food for himself and his elderly mother.

Despite his poverty, Salim was known for his generosity. If a hungry traveler passed through the village, Salim would share his last piece of bread. If a neighbor was in need, he would offer whatever he could. His belief was simple:

"What we give, we receive in greater ways."

The villagers respected Salim but often wondered why he gave away what little he had. “He barely has enough for himself,” they whispered. “Why does he give away his food?”

But Salim simply smiled and said, “A full heart is richer than a full pocket.”

The Royal Decree

One day, news spread across the village—the Sultan was coming! The great ruler was traveling through the land, visiting different towns and villages. He wished to see how his people lived and to reward those who showed great kindness.

The villagers were excited and began preparing gifts. The wealthy merchants brought golden plates filled with dates and honey. The farmers collected the finest grains and fruits to present to the Sultan. Even the village chief prepared a special robe embroidered with silver thread.

Salim watched as everyone prepared their gifts, and a feeling of sadness crept into his heart.

“What can a poor man like me give to a great Sultan?” he wondered.

He searched his small home—there was nothing valuable. He checked his pockets—only a few copper coins, not enough to buy anything worthy. He sighed. “Perhaps I will go and greet the Sultan with empty hands.”

The Humble Gift

That evening, as Salim walked home from the forest, he passed by a river. The gentle water sparkled under the golden light of the setting sun. As he bent down to wash his face, he noticed something unusual—a small, perfect-looking apple floating gently on the water. It was bright red, untouched by insects, and smelled incredibly sweet.

Salim picked up the apple and smiled. “This is all I have, but it is fresh and pure. Perhaps it will be an honest gift.”

The next day, the Sultan arrived with his grand procession. His golden carriage gleamed in the sunlight, and his royal guards stood tall, their swords shining. The villagers lined up to present their gifts, each one more extravagant than the last.

The wealthy merchant stepped forward first, presenting a chest filled with gold coins. “A humble offering, Your Majesty,” he said proudly.

Next, the farmers presented large baskets of the finest fruits and grains.

The village chief then stepped forward, unveiling the embroidered robe. “Woven by the finest craftsmen, my Sultan,” he said, bowing deeply.

When it was Salim’s turn, he stepped forward nervously, his rough hands trembling. He placed the single apple on the Sultan’s golden tray.

The crowd laughed. “An apple? That’s all he brings to the mighty Sultan?”

The village chief shook his head. “Salim, you should not have embarrassed yourself like this.”

But the Sultan did not laugh. Instead, he picked up the apple and examined it closely. He brought it to his nose and inhaled its fresh, sweet aroma. Then he smiled warmly at Salim.

“This is a gift from the heart,” the Sultan said. “It is more valuable than gold and silk.”

The Sultan’s Question

The Sultan then asked, “Tell me, Salim, why did you choose to give me this apple?”

Salim hesitated for a moment, then spoke honestly. “Your Majesty, I am but a poor woodcutter. I have no gold, no silks, no riches. But as I walked home last night, I saw this apple floating in the river. It was as if Allah had sent it to me. I had nothing else to give, but I wanted to offer you something pure and honest. This was the best I could find.”

The Sultan nodded thoughtfully. “It is not the value of the gift that matters, but the sincerity behind it.”

The Unexpected Reward

That evening, the Sultan called for his royal gardener and gave him the apple’s seeds. “Plant these in my royal garden,” he commanded. “Let us see what grows from this humble gift.”

Years passed, and from that single apple came a magnificent orchard of the sweetest, rarest apples in the kingdom. The Sultan often visited the orchard and marveled at the beauty that had grown from such a simple offering.

One day, he summoned Salim to the palace. When Salim arrived, the Sultan took him to the orchard and gestured at the trees. “Do you see these trees?” he asked.

Salim nodded, his eyes wide with wonder.

“All of this—this great orchard—came from your single act of kindness. You gave me an apple with a pure heart, and now, thousands of apples grow because of it.”

The Sultan then handed Salim a bag filled with gold coins. “This is your reward, for kindness always returns to those who give with sincerity.”

Salim wept with gratitude, realizing that even the smallest act of giving could lead to blessings beyond imagination.

From that day forward, Salim continued his life of generosity. He used his newfound wealth to help others, build shelters for the poor, and feed the hungry. And he always remembered the lesson:

A sincere gift, no matter how small, is more valuable than all the riches in the world.

Moral of the Story:

True generosity is not measured by how much you give but by the sincerity behind it.

A small act of kindness can grow into something far greater.

What we give in goodness, life returns to us in ways we never expect.