Punishment for greed

Dear children, this is a moral story about fairness, wisdom, and the importance of sharing.

In a small village lived an old farmer with his two sons, Ahmed and Muhammad. Ahmed was clever and sharp-minded, while Muhammad was innocent, simple, and not very intelligent. The farmer owned only three things: a cow, a fruit-bearing tree, and a warm blanket. Though these possessions were few, they were very valuable for the family’s daily life.

After some time, the old farmer passed away. When the funeral rituals were completed, the two brothers began discussing how to divide their father’s belongings. Ahmed, being clever and selfish, quickly came up with a plan to take advantage of his simple brother.

He said to Muhammad, “Let us divide everything equally.”

Muhammad trusted his brother and agreed without thinking.

Ahmed continued, “I will take the back part of the cow, and you take the front part.”

Muhammad, not realizing the trick, happily agreed.

Next, they went to the tree. Ahmed said, “You take the lower part of the tree, and I will take the upper part.”

Again, Muhammad nodded and agreed.

Finally, Ahmed said, “We cannot cut the blanket in half, so let us do this: you will use it in the morning, and I will use it at night.”

Muhammad accepted this too.

Soon, the reality of the unfair division became clear. Muhammad fed the cow every day, but Ahmed enjoyed all the milk. Ahmed climbed the tree, plucked the fruits, and ate them, while Muhammad stood below, watching helplessly. At night, Ahmed slept comfortably under the blanket, while Muhammad shivered in the cold, turning from side to side all night.

Weeks passed, and Muhammad grew weaker and sadder. One day, a friend visited him and noticed his miserable condition. Concerned, the friend asked, “Why do you look so unhappy?”

Muhammad told him the whole story. After listening carefully, the friend smiled and gave him a clever piece of advice. Feeling hopeful, Muhammad returned home.

When he arrived, Ahmed was milking the cow from behind. Muhammad quietly picked up a stick and began hitting the cow from the front. The cow became restless.

Ahmed shouted angrily, “What are you doing? Can’t you see I’m milking the cow?”

Muhammad calmly replied, “The front part of the cow is mine. I can do whatever I want with it.”

Ahmed was stunned and left in frustration.

Later, Ahmed climbed the tree to pick fruit. Muhammad quickly grabbed an axe and started cutting the tree from the bottom. Ahmed shouted, “Stop! What are you doing?”

Muhammad replied innocently, “The lower part of the tree is mine. I can do whatever I like.”

Ahmed had no answer and walked away silently.

As evening approached, Muhammad soaked the blanket in water. When Ahmed saw this, he cried out, “What are you doing? How will I sleep tonight?”

Muhammad replied, “The blanket is mine until evening. I am washing it.”

That night, Ahmed shivered in the cold, just as Muhammad had done for many nights before. In the morning, Ahmed realized his mistake. Feeling ashamed, he apologized to Muhammad and admitted his wrongdoing.

He said, “Brother, I was greedy and unfair. From today onward, we will share everything together.”

Muhammad forgave him, and from that day on, the brothers lived happily, sharing their belongings with love and fairness.

again

Later, Ahmed climbed the tree to pick fruit. Muhammad quickly grabbed an axe and started cutting the tree from the bottom. Ahmed shouted, “Stop! What are you doing?”

Muhammad replied innocently, “The lower part of the tree is mine. I can do whatever I like.”

Ahmed had no answer and walked away silently.

As evening approached, Muhammad soaked the blanket in water. When Ahmed saw this, he cried out, “What are you doing? How will I sleep tonight?”

Muhammad replied, “The blanket is mine until evening. I am washing it.”

That night, Ahmed shivered in the cold, just as Muhammad had done for many nights before. In the morning, Ahmed realized his mistake. Feeling ashamed, he apologized to Muhammad and admitted his wrongdoing.

He said, “Brother, I was greedy and unfair. From today onward, we will share everything together.”

Muhammad forgave him, and from that day on, the brothers lived happily, sharing their belongings with love and fairness.