Dare to get rich

Ever wish for riches, but hold back because it seems off?

Maybe you heard growing up that money sparks all evil.

Perhaps wanting extra feels greedy to you.

Or fear grips you. Fear of chasing cash, failing, and landing worse.

If this hits home, this tale fits.

It follows a man who years claimed less was enough. Then he saw his dread of wealth stole what counted most.

Stick around till the end.

It may change your take on money.

In a quiet village amid rice fields and hills lived Alex, a 30-year-old school teacher.

Alex was decent. Honest. On time for work. Quick to aid neighbors.

Yet he stayed trapped.

He made $700 monthly teaching kids.

Rent, food, cash to his mom left him $30 or $40 some months.

Others, zero.

Cracks scarred his walls.

Rain dripped through the roof.

Clothes hung faded and worn.

He ate plain food daily. It fit his budget.

Folks asked if he craved better pay, a side gig, anything. Alex shook his head.

"I'm good," he said.

"Little suits me.

Simple keeps it easy."

Truth hid deeper.

Fear ruled Alex.

Fear of new tries gone wrong.

Fear of seeming dumb.

Fear that grabbing more and missing meant losing his slim safety.

So he spun soft lies.

Cash skips joy anyhow.

Wealth stresses the rich.

Plain beats fancy.

No real beliefs.

Just guards.

Nights came quiet in the dim flat. Alex lay awake eyeing his mom.

Her knees ached worse each year.

Pain slowed her steps.

Surgery called.

He knew.

But funds? None.

Two years saved $400.

Fix ran thousands.

That chasm haunted nights. Eyes fixed on damp ceiling.

Sometimes: "More cash would fix it."

Fear crashed back.

"What if I flop?"

Stay put. No risk.

Better that way.

One Tuesday night, hospital rang.

Mom fell.

Knees buckled.

No grave risk. But doc warned: no quick surgery, no good walk ahead.

Alex rushed over. Sat in wait hall. Doctor neared.

Straight talk.

"Surgery in two months max," doc said.

"Full bill with stay and rehab: $3,000."

$3,000.

Chest squeezed tight.

Alex held $420.

Savings trickled $40 monthly if lucky. Six years to hit it.

Mom lacked years.

He lingered in that hall. Families passed.

Some tense.

Some eased.

All could pay.

Click in his head.

Years preached poor as safe.

Wrong.

Just dodged fear.

Mom paid now for his dodge.

Hands in lap.

Hands that shooed skill chances.

Nixed risks for ease.

Picked safe over stretch always.

"What use safe if Mom stays broke?" he thought.

Next dawn, Alex broke habit.

Visited Mr. Navarro.

Navarro ran village shop. Imported goods. Sold needs. Thrived small.

No riches. Just steady.

Alex dodged him before.

Not hate. Just mirror to his stall.

Pride gone now.

He craved aid.

Navarro eyed tired Alex at door.

"Come," he said.

"Sit.

Spill it."

Alex poured out.

Surgery need.

Cash void.

Long fear load.

Voice cracked: "Loan the cash?

I'll repay.

Slow maybe. But yes."

Navarro paused.

"Help yes. Not your plan."

Alex frowned.

"I could spot $3,000 now," Navarro said.

"Mom heals.

You grind years to square us.

Then boom. Next crisis repeats."

He leaned in.

"Or loan free.

Repay loose.

While she mends, I show real cash build.

Not scramble once.

Steady flow."

Alex stared.

"You mean it?"

"One rule," Navarro said.

"Listen true.

No safe nods then backslide.

My time needs your grind.

Deal?"

"Deal," Alex said.

Navarro rose. Window point.

"Those mango trees?

Same plant year.

Same dirt. Light. Rain.

One thrives full.

One starves thin.

Why the gap?"

Alex shrugged.

"I grew it," Navarro said.

"No fear trim for size.

Roots roam free.

Fed right.

Mangoes yearly now."

Finger to weak one.

"That? I hacked it.

Called it smart control.

Yields zip."

To Alex.

"You hack yourself years.

Safe mask.

Small ain't safe.

Small leaves you weak for hits."

Truth stung.

"Money truth none shared," Navarro went.

"Not evil or saint.

Tool.

Knife slices veg or flesh.

Wielder picks."

Beat.

"Dad needed fix twenty years back.

Me broke.

Shark loan. Killer rates years.

Vowed end.

Studied trade.

Flopped twice first.

Pushed.

Now?"

Room sweep.

"No tycoon.

But funded neighbor kid college last year.

Cleared Mrs. Reyes bill on sick hub.

Not gift.

Quit wealth fear."

Eyes locked.

"Not chase cash or not.

What do with it owned?"

Two weeks on, Mom cut open.

Healed slow, strength rose.

Alex learned hard.

Navarro blunt. No soft.

"Income jump?

Fix folks' pains.

Outdo rest.

Fair charge. Done."

Alex scanned true.

Saw parents crave kid English.

City tutors pricey.

Most skipped.

Idea struck.

Weekend groups. Cheap rate.

Launched four kids.

$30 month each.

$120 total.

Small start.

Early months grinded.

Plans ate hours.

Doubt parents on skills.

Alex wobbled inside.

Month three, one dropped.

Said they fou