The Wicked Magician

Once upon a time, there lived a little boy called Rehan. His parents were very poor and had to toil day and night to make both ends meet. But there's was a happy family. They were contented with whatever little they earned by their hard work, honesty, and dedication. Rehan used to study in a school during the day and then help his parents in the evening in making clay pots, by selling which they made some money.

One day, when the three of them were making pots, a wicked magician passed by their house. The magician was on the mission of sacrificing 1000 people to attain immense magical powers. He transformed Rehan's parents into stone statues, placed them in his sack and walked away. Hapless Rehan sat on the ground and wept his heart out. A sage who was passing by took pity on Rehan. The kind-hearted sage told Rehan that if he could somehow get the statues of his parents back from the magician and dip them in the pious river that flowed by their village, his parents will be resurrected.

Rehan set out in the search of the magician. After walking for a while, he found the magician sleeping by the shade of a huge banyan tree. But at the same time, Rehan also noticed that a lion was waiting in the nearby bush to pounce upon the magician. Rehan could have let the lion kill the magician who had snatched his parents away from him. But as Rehan was a benevolent boy, he opted to save the life of the villain instead of taking revenge. He raised an alarm and the magician woke up. The lion was about to attack him but the magician instantly waved his magic wand at the lion and transformed the mighty beast into a meek mouse who quickly rushed back to hide in the forest. The magician thanked the boy who had saved his life and offered to fulfill his wish as a reward.

"O! Mighty magician," Rehan said with folded hands, "I want my parents back whom you have converted into stone statues."

The magician was in dilemma now. He was not was willing to part with the statues whom he was about to sacrifice to please the evil deity whom he worshipped.

"Your parents are very poor. They can't provide you either a luxurious life or a secure future. They are of no use to you. What if I make you a powerful emperor, instead?"

Rehan refused to fall prey to the lure and demanded his parents back. The magician was worried as he had to fulfill his promise and grant the boy's wish but he was also not willing to let go of his catch.

"Fine!" The magician decided to try again. "I'll give you as much wealth as you ask for."

Rehan remained adamant on his stand.

"You are a fool, young man!" The agitated magician spat his fury out on the boy, "why would someone reject such immense power and wealth for poor and worthless parents?"

"Because there are things," Rehan said calmly, "that can't either be bought by money or won by power. The selfless love that my parents are showering on me is one among them. The power and wealth you are offering me is a bad bargain in exchange for a happy and contented life that I used to lead with my parents."

The magician fell silent. He bowed his head and accepted defeat. He returned the statues to Rehan and vanished into the wood. That day, the wicked magician learned a lesson that he will never forget. Happiness and satisfying life are the most precious treasure. Both money and power are worthless when compared to them. Thereafter, the magician gave up his evil deeds and started leading a life of kindness and benevolence.