Short Stories

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C O M M O N S E N S E

“Worldly Riches”

Once upon a time or so the story goes, there were three young men who set off from home to find both fame and fortune. Each had in their mind a dream they wanted to fulfill. Shortly into their journey they came upon an old man who promised to fulfill the desires of their heart should they come and aid him. “What do we have to loose” was the consensus of the three. “If we go or stay, we will still gain an adventure.”

After a two day journey through lands they had never seen before, they came upon a cave set in a mountain located near a desert. “Here you will find your hearts desirers,” said the old man clambering up the rocky slop. “Follow me and I will make your dreams come true.”

Up and down the winding cave they walked with nothing more than a broken lantern and the old man to guide them. Reaching what appeared to be the end of the cave, the old man ordered them to dig. “Dig hard, dig true, dig with your bare hands if you have to, but dig,” he implored them. Within the span of two hours, the three young men came upon a wooden chest with a heavy metal latch. “Lift it up! Lift it up quickly!” demanded the old as he drew a key from underneath his shabby clothes.

As the box fell open the three young men were astonished at what they saw. “What is this?” cried one. “This has to be a joke!” called another. “There is no treasure here, nothing except an old knotted cane,” shouted the last. “Ah, but what a cane,” smiled the old man gentlely removing it from the box.

"Is this our reward for helping you?” questioned the second of the three. “Yes, where is our treasure for all our service to you?” demanded the older of the three.

"Treasures and rewards come in many forms, you just wait and see,” smiled the old man. Suddenly, he stood and struck the cane on the ground and was immediately changed from old to young dressed in fine clothing.

Amazed the three young men listened while the story was told of a wealthy and handsome prince was transformed into an old man without benefit of power or money and set to wonder the land. But now, he was released from the curse and able to resume his place at his father’s side. “Now, my fine young men – come and make your desires to be known and I and my cane will grant them,” he said.

The strongest and oldest of the three came forward first. “My desire is to be the richest man in my village, so I want as much gold coins as I can carry,” he replied showing off his huge muscles. Quickly the lid to the crest was shut and with three taps of the cane out popped eight bags of gold coins. Smiling greatly, the oldest and strongest of the three young men reached out and could barely pick up all eight bags, but he did. He then left the group smiling all the way.

The tallest of the three was next. “My desire is also to be the richest man in my village, but I don’t have all the muscles to carry all that gold. Make mine all the diamonds that I can carry,” he stated happily. Again, the lid was shut and three taps later out popped eight huge bags of diamonds, just enough to carry. And again, he too left the cave happy as can be.

"Well, what is your desire?” questioned the wealthy prince.

"I really can’t think on an empty stomach,” replied the young man. “And we did work hard all the day,”

"You’re right. Lets have a nice meal and a good nights rest and we will talk of it in the morning” With three more taps out popped a fine meal for two and they both settled down for the night.

Early the next morning, both fed and rested, the young man said. “I know my heart’s desire, to have the finest treasure in the entire world.”

"Ah,” said the wealthy prince, “You have chosen most wisely.” Again, with three taps and opening of the chest with the heavy metal latch, there sat a small red pouch spun out of the finest silk. On it read an inscription, “A pinch a day will last a life time.” Satisfied the young man left the cave and the wealthy prince.

Now the first young man returned home and spent his treasure wildly casting it about until it was all gone. Poor again, he returned to his father’s house to live out his years. The tallest of the three was a bit wiser with his treasure investing it here and storing it there, but eventually, he too lost all that he had. Returning home, he lived out his years on dreams of yesterday. The third young man never did return home, but became richer and happier than the first two put together. He married the women of his dreams and lived happily ever after.

What then was his treasure? It wasn't money of any sort. It wasn't luck. It wasn’t skill, but it was a pouch filled with opportunity in which he was able to apply to his life with just one pinch a day.


COMMON SENSE SAYS: Gold and silver, diamonds and pearls are all fleeting, but a little opportunity added to our lives daily will always bring us greater rewards

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