Short Stories

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C O M M O N S E N S E

“Searching for the Greatest Treasure”

Once upon a time or so the story goes, a man went searching for a treasure. Finding it here or there, he accumulated all that he could. Looking around him, he saw statues of gold, diamond encrusted tiaras, rings filled with all sorts of gems, and piles of gold and silver, yet he was unhappy. Still he wanted more.

One day a traveler came and told him of a fortune so great and treasures so vast that they lay wasted on the city streets. Intrigued, he called for his ships and set sail for this mystical island. Arriving, he found, just as the traveler had said, gold, silver, and monies lying all over the ground as so much discarded trash.

He wondered in his heart, “If this is how they treat gold and precious gems, what treasures and wonders they must have.”

Entering the city with his band of armed men, he was shocked to be greeted by so many with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. “Hello. How are you?” Many would ask. “Take us to your chief,” the man answered threatening. “Sure.” One responded in a joyous voice. “Come follow me.”

To the top of the mountain they traveled. On the way, the man saw a richly decorated home which sat on top of a high hill at the foot of a very tall mountain. “There in that house lives our chief who watches over us.”

“Does he possess your greatest treasure?” The stranger demanded. “Yes.” The reply came back calmly.

Arriving at the house, the group was greeted and served a sumptuous meal, before being able to meet the host. Arriving late, the chief of these people walked into their presence wearing only a simply robe and greeted all with a smile. “Lets get down to it. We are here for the treasure.” The stranger demanded. With a wave of his hand all except the strangers left the room. “All the treasure you want you can take freely. Go find all that you will in the streets of our city and take all that you want.” The chief replied.

“We are here for your greatest treasure. That which makes all of what we’ve seen some much useless rubbish.” The man said as his men readied themselves.

“Ah, that is a treasure that will never leave this island” came a stern reply.

“I and my men think otherwise” coursed the stranger.

“If you think that you can take our greatest possession then I will tell you and you alone where it is. Should you prevail at removing it from its location, then it is yours to keep.”

Considering the challenge, the man sent his men away and was told where the greatest treasure lies. “In a cave, at the top of this mountain, you will find a box and in that box is our greatest treasure.” The chief instructed.

The following morning the man set out with two of his men and made his way up the mountain. By mid-afternoon he had discovered the cave and with a lamp searched for the box. His men waited and wondered what he would find as the sun began to set. Suddenly, there came a shaking, quaking of the ground made possible by a laugher that echoed across the mountain. An hour of so later, the stranger emerged smiling with joy. “I saw their greatest treasure. And no, I was unable to take it.”

Returning home, the man gave, traded, or sold all that he had except for a few items and lived happily ever after. On his dead bed, he was heard to remark. “Deep inside lies your greatest treasure, happiness.”

COMMON SENSE SAYS: Silver and gold can be bought and sold, traded and watched over, but your greatest treasure can never be stolen, because it is always kept deep inside.

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