True Wealth

Once upon a time there lived a very rich and wealthy man in a big city. He led a luxurious life. He always boasted about his wealth to his friends and relatives. His son was studying in a distant city and returned home for holiday. The rich man wanted to show his son how rich he was. But his son wasn't interested in any luxurious lifestyles. However, the man wanted to make his son realise that his lifestyle was extremely rich and that the poor people suffered a lot. So he planned a day's visit to the entire town.

The father and son took a chariot and visited the entire town. They returned home in two days. The father was happy that his son was quiet after seeing the poor people suffering. So he asked, "dear son, how was the trip? Did you enjoy it?" "Yes dad. It was lovely," replied the son. Then he asked him that what he had learnt from the trip. The son was silent. The father told that he was happy that his son had realised that how the poor people actually lived and suffered. "No", replied the son. Then he said, "We have two dogs, they have ten. We have a big pool in our garden, but they have a massive bay with no end! We have expensive light, but they have endless stars to light their nights. We have a house on a small piece of land, but they have abundant fields that go beyond the horizon. We are protected by huge walls, but they surround themselves with each other. We have to buy food, but they are so rich that they can cultivate their own.

The father was stunned and speechless on hearing his son's words. Finally, the son said, "Thank you, father, for showing me who is rich and who is poor."

Moral: True wealth is not measured by wealth and property. True wealth is created in good friendship and compassionate relations.