The Stonecutter’s Dream

Once upon a time, in a quiet village nestled between green hills, there lived a humble stonecutter named Ravi. Every day, from dawn until dusk, Ravi worked tirelessly under the scorching sun, chipping away at the rocks that surrounded the village. His calloused hands and sore muscles were proof of his hard labor. Though he was strong and skilled, earning just enough to feed his family, Ravi often found himself daydreaming about a different life—a life of comfort and luxury, free from the relentless toil.

One fateful afternoon, as Ravi worked on a particularly large boulder, he noticed a grand procession making its way down the village road. At the front of the procession was a wealthy merchant, sitting high in a lavish carriage drawn by strong horses. The merchant was dressed in fine silks, his face adorned with a satisfied smile. People lined the road and bowed in respect, but the merchant barely acknowledged them. His eyes were fixed on the distant horizon as he passed by.

Ravi watched with envy, feeling the weight of his own simple life. He sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow, and muttered, “I wish I were that rich man. I wish I could live such a life of luxury.”

To his surprise, a voice, deep and mysterious, echoed through the air. “Your wish is granted.”

Before Ravi could even blink, he found himself standing in the place of the wealthy merchant. He was no longer a stonecutter but a rich man, dressed in fine clothes made of the finest silks and gold. He lived in a grand mansion with servants who catered to his every need. He dined on exquisite food, slept on soft beds, and never had to worry about his next meal.

But as the days went by, Ravi began to realize that the life of a wealthy man wasn’t all it seemed. The sun still beat down on him every afternoon as he sat in his mansion, and despite all his riches, he felt a sense of emptiness. He could not escape the harshness of nature or the restlessness in his heart. One day, as he sat under the scorching heat, he looked up at the sky and said, “The sun is more powerful than I am. I wish I were the sun.”

Once again, the voice spoke, “Your wish is granted.”

In an instant, Ravi became the blazing sun, high in the sky, casting light and warmth over the world. He could feel the power of his rays as they burned the earth below. He shone with all his might, proud of his newfound strength. But after a time, he realized that no matter how strong he was, a dark cloud began to obscure his light, blocking his warmth and casting shadows over the land.

Frustrated, Ravi shouted, “That cloud is stronger than me! I wish I were the cloud.”

Once again, the voice echoed, “Your wish is granted.”

Now, Ravi became the cloud, drifting across the sky, able to block the sun and bring rain to the earth below. He reveled in his power, shaping storms and controlling the winds. But as he moved through the sky, he came upon a great mountain, standing tall and unmoving. No matter how hard he tried, the mountain would not budge. Ravi roared in frustration, “The mountain is mightier than I! I want to be the mountain!”

And once again, the voice replied, “Your wish is granted.”

In an instant, Ravi became the great mountain. He stood tall and unshakable, his rocky surface strong and steadfast. He felt invincible, proud of his strength. But one day, as time passed, he felt a sharp pain at his base. A man with a hammer and chisel was slowly cutting into him. Ravi realized with horror that the stonecutter, the very man he had once been, was now the one shaping him.

It was then that Ravi understood. The mountain, the sun, the cloud, and the merchant—all were powerful in their own way, but none were as powerful as the stonecutter. The stonecutter, with his simple tools and steady hands, had the ability to shape even the strongest forces of nature.

Ravi sighed deeply, and with a quiet whisper, he said, “I want to be myself again.”

In that moment, Ravi was restored to his original form—a humble stonecutter once again. But this time, he was different. He no longer envied the rich merchant, the blazing sun, or the mighty mountain. He had learned that greatness doesn’t come from being someone else—it comes from embracing who you truly are.

From that day forward, Ravi worked with a sense of contentment and pride in his craft. He knew that the simple life he had was a life of true strength and purpose. The stonecutter was not just a worker of stone, but a creator of something lasting. And in that, he found his true power.

Moral: You may not realize how powerful you already are until you stop comparing and start appreciating your own strength.