The Burden of Wealth: Trapped in the Shadow of Luxury

Once upon a time, in a tranquil village nestled amidst lush green valleys, resided a rich man who sought the guidance of a wise and revered monk named Mahan. Troubled by his son's reckless and extravagant behavior, the wealthy man approached Mahan, hopeful that he could instill some wisdom in his prodigal child.

As the rich man poured out his worries to Mahan, the monk listened patiently, understanding the weight of his words. With a compassionate gaze, Mahan assured the rich man that he would find a way to steer his son back onto the path of righteousness.

Days later, Mahan summoned the rich man's son, whose name was Selvandar, to accompany him on a journey. Together, they embarked on a trek through untamed terrain until they reached a clearing that overlooked a nearby hill. Selvandar's curious eyes glanced upon a colossal boulder resting before them.

With a grave expression etched on his face, Mahan turned to Selvandar and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone, "Young Selvandar, I want you to carry this enormous rock to the peak of that hill."

Confusion mingled with a tinge of annoyance flickered in Selvandar's eyes, but he obeyed nonetheless, gripping the rough edges of the boulder. Straining every muscle, he heaved and struggled, feeling the weight of the stone pressing down upon him like the burden of his father's expectations.

Through sweat-soaked clothes and aching bones, Selvander persevered, refusing to succumb to defeat. His determination grew as he inched closer, step by painstaking step, towards the pinnacle of the hill.

Finally, with sheer determination, Selvandar reached the crest, panting heavily from his exertion. Triumph washed over him as he anticipated Mahan's words of praise. However, instead of lavishing him with compliments, the monk surprised him with a simple instruction.

"Roll that rock down," Mahan commanded, his voice carrying a serene yet enigmatic tone.

A surge of anger and frustration welled up within Selvandar. How could Mahan ask him to simply discard the result of his grueling labor? He had endured the same struggles his father faced while building their family's wealth. Did he not deserve the fruits of his own endeavors?

Face contorted with indignation, Selvandar confronted Mahan, his words laced with resentment. "Your father struggled like this when he accumulated wealth... What is the justification for you to waste it extravagantly?"

In response, Mahan maintained his calm demeanor, his calm gaze unwavering. Delicately, he spoke, his voice carrying the wisdom of ages. "Selvandar, my son, sometimes it takes a journey of hardships to truly understand the worth of what we possess. By releasing the burden that consumes us, we learn to appreciate the true value of life's treasures."

A flicker of realization danced in Selvandar's eyes as he absorbed Mahan's words. Suddenly, the weight of his grievances seemed insignificant compared to the weight of the boulder he had just carried. A sense of liberation washed over him, freeing his spirit from the shackles of materiality.

In that moment, Selvandar understood. True wealth was not merely monetary. It lay within the experiences and lessons gained throughout life's journey. He felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunities bestowed upon him and realized the importance of utilizing wealth responsibly.

With newfound clarity and an enlightened perspective, Selvandar turned to Mahan, a smile breaking across his face. "Thank you, wise Mahan. You have changed my mind, and for that, I am eternally grateful."

And so, Selvandar returned to his father's side, transformed by the monk's lesson. No longer burdened by the weight of material possessions, he embraced the true essence of wealth—knowledge, compassion, and the ability to appreciate life's simplest joys.

From that day forth, Selvandar embarked on a different journey. A journey that would allow him to honor his father's hard-earned wealth by using it to make a positive difference in the lives of others.