Imagine finding joy in making someone smile, rather than making them cry. That’s the lesson a group of children learned when they played a prank on a hardworking farmer. Let’s dive into this heartwarming tale that teaches us the real meaning of happiness.
A Day of Mischief Begins
Once, there was a farmer who worked tirelessly in his fields every day. He toiled under the scorching sun, with sweat dripping down his face and his bare feet covered in dirt. To take a break, he would often sit under the shade of a large tree and take off his worn-out shoes, letting his weary feet breathe.
One sunny afternoon, as the farmer rested under the big tree, a group of playful children was passing by. They noticed the farmer’s shoes lying unattended and couldn’t resist the urge to play a prank. One of the children giggled and whispered, “Let’s put some pebbles in his shoes! Imagine how funny it would be when he wears them!”
With innocent mischief sparkling in their eyes, the children quietly dropped a few small pebbles into the farmer’s shoes and hid behind the tree to watch the scene unfold. As the farmer got up to resume his work, he slipped his bare feet into his shoes. Instantly, he felt the sharp pain of the pebbles pressing into his skin. He winced, shook the shoes off, and rubbed his aching feet, wondering how the pebbles had gotten there.
Meanwhile, the children were stifling their laughter. They found the farmer’s reaction hilarious, enjoying the little discomfort they had caused. For them, it was just a bit of fun.
A Second Chance to Choose Kindness
A few days later, the same children happened to pass by the fields again. They saw the farmer’s shoes lying under the tree and couldn’t resist the temptation to repeat their prank. One of the children reached for the pebbles on the ground when another child spoke up, “Wait! Last time we put pebbles in his shoes and laughed. But today, let’s do something different.”
Curious, the group paused to listen. The child continued, “What if we put some money in his shoes instead? Maybe it will make him happy.”
The idea was new and felt a little strange, but something about it seemed right. They all agreed and carefully placed a few coins inside the farmer’s shoes. They hid again, waiting to see what would happen this time.
The Farmer’s Surprise
When the farmer returned to his resting spot, he put his feet back into his shoes. This time, instead of feeling pain, he felt something unfamiliar—a clinking sensation. Puzzled, he removed his shoes and emptied them, only to find a few shiny coins rolling out onto the ground.
His eyes widened in disbelief. He picked up the coins and stared at them, tears welling up in his eyes. With a grateful heart, he looked up to the sky and whispered, “Thank you, God! The money at home had run out, and there was nothing left to eat. You sent help just when I needed it the most.”
The children, watching from their hiding spot, felt something change within them. They had enjoyed the farmer’s discomfort last time, but this feeling was different—this was real happiness.
The Moral of the Story
The children realized that pranks are meant to be fun, but it’s never right to find joy in someone else’s pain. True happiness comes from acts of kindness that uplift others.
Also Read: The African Impala: A Lesson in Limiting Beliefs
Conclusion:
This simple story teaches an important lesson: being playful and mischievous is a natural part of growing up, but we should always be mindful of others’ feelings. Instead of finding happiness in causing discomfort, let’s find joy in spreading kindness. After all, it takes little to make someone smile, but that smile can make a world of difference.
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