The Wishing Tree: A Tale of Caution
Once upon a time, a stranger was wandering through a dense jungle. He had been walking for hours, and as the scorching sun blazed above him, he began to feel tired and thirsty. Exhausted, he looked around for a place to rest. Spotting a large, shady tree with wide branches, he decided it was the perfect spot.
He sat beneath the tree, leaned against its sturdy trunk, and let out a sigh of relief. The climate was unbearably hot, and beads of sweat dripped down his face. Wiping his forehead, he murmured to himself, "Oh, how I wish a cool, fragrant breeze would blow. That would make my rest so much more pleasant."
To his amazement, a gentle, cool wind carrying the sweet aroma of roses began to flow. The stranger's eyes widened in disbelief, but he quickly smiled, feeling refreshed and content. "What a miracle!" he thought.
After a while, his stomach growled, reminding him of how hungry he was. Without thinking much, he muttered to himself again, "If only I had a comfortable bed to lie on, covered with a soft bedsheet, and a feast of delicious food to satisfy my hunger."
To his utter astonishment, a luxurious bed appeared right in front of him, draped in a golden-yellow bedsheet that looked as soft as silk. Beside it, a variety of sumptuous dishes appeared, filling the air with their tempting aroma. The stranger could hardly believe his luck. He eagerly lay down on the bed and enjoyed the feast, savoring every bite.
But as his stomach filled and his body relaxed, a strange thought crept into his mind. "How are all my wishes being granted? Is this a trick? Or perhaps some divine intervention?" He sat up and looked around, feeling uneasy.
Gathering his courage, he spoke aloud, "Is there someone here granting my wishes? Who is helping me?"Are you God or an angel or a good spirit.
Suddenly, a deep but kind voice echoed through the air, "My dear guest, do not be afraid. I am the Wishing Tree. Anyone who rests under my branches is granted whatever they wish for. Your words become reality here."
The stranger was both relieved and overjoyed. Bowing his head in gratitude, he said, "Oh, kind and magical tree, thank you for your generosity. May I ask you something?"
"Of course, my guest," replied the tree warmly.
"Can you grant any wish I make?" he asked eagerly.
"Yes," said the tree, "but there is one condition: your mind must remain in control. If you let yourself greedy or loose control of yoir mind, it may cost you a lot."
The stranger thought for a while and agrees to that condition, hardly paying attention to the warning. "Thank you, oh gracious tree!" he said. Without wasting any time, he began wishing for gold coins, sparkling diamonds, ornate jewelry, and every valuable treasure he could imagine. The tree granted each wish, and soon the area around him was piled high with riches.
The stranger was overwhelmed with joy. He danced around his treasures, laughing and shouting, "I’m the richest man in the world now!
Hours passed, and his excitement began to turn into greed. He wished for more and more, his bag overflowing with wealth. At last, satisfied with his treasures, he decided it was time to head home. He packed everything into a large sack and slung it over his shoulder.
Before leaving, he muttered to himself, "I still can’t believe my luck. Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined becoming this rich."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than he felt the world around him shift. Suddenly, he was no longer standing under the tree. Instead, he found himself trapped in a strange, endless void.
Panicked, he cried out, "What is happening? Where am I?"
The Wishing Tree’s voice echoed one last time, "My dear guest, your final wish has been granted. You wished to be in your dream, and now you are. But remember, this dream is eternal. You will remain here forever."
The stranger screamed and begged for release, but it was too late. He had let his greed cloud his judgment, and now he was a prisoner of his own mind.
Moral of the Story:
Control your thoughts and desires, for greed and lack of mindfulness can lead to your downfall. Never let your emotions overpower your wisdom.
