There once was a money-driven king who came across a rumor of a magical lamp harboring a wish-granting genie. However, this particular lamp was special. It was generous and would grant more than what the user wished for. Driven by his desire for power, the king became ecstatic over the thought of even more riches, so he quickly gathered his men to search for the tool that would bring him untold riches.
At last, his servants retrieved the fabled lamp. Without pause the king withdrew to his private chambers with the lamp in his possession. He rubbed the lamp and out came the genie.
"You, who have summoned me. Speak thine wish and I shall it," howled the genie.
With haste, the king spoke, "Great genie, I am in need of gold. Grant me 100 gold pieces so I may live in luxury!"
"Why have 100 gold pieces when you could have 200?" said the genie.
"Why...you're right! Very well, grant me 200 gold pieces!"
"Oh, great king. Why settle for 200 gold pieces when I can grant you 400?"
"That's a great point! Make it so!"
The genie grinned. "How about 800 pieces of gold? Think of what you can buy with that amount!"
"Ohoho! I like the sound of that! Grant me 800!"
This conversation went on for hours. The king, driven by his greed, could only think of the possibilities with all of the gold he was going to have. He completely absorbed himself in fantasies of luxury.
"Wise king, wait! How about enough gold to run your entire kingdom with a life of luxury? You'd never have to worry about living in poverty!" The genie was pleased by the king's enthusiasm.
"Oh, genie! Grant me this at once!" The king was brimming with excitement.
The conversation continued, and three days later the king died.
The king was so caught up in what could-be that he let his greed and ambition get the best of him. The genie, which fed on his lust for power, kept offering the king with more money and power to rule others. In the end, the king lost sight of what was important in life and died as a result.
There are many morals in this story, but I think it's important to remember that we should learn to live with what we have and make the best of our situation. If we constantly thought about the future - what could be - we'd never take care of ourselves in the present. What's more important? Being happy now or hoping to be happy in the future? Even though the king was being promised unlimited riches he still let himself die malnourished. Money isn't everything. It may help create opportunities for you and keep a roof over your head, but there are plenty of people who make a living as vagabonds - people who travel the world, meet new people every day, don't rely on technology or money, and still manage to live. Many of them are extremely happy, lively, and completely satisfied with living a simple life. Being wealthy isn't (and has never been) a prerequisite for living happily.
Try forgetting about what could-be, and focus more on what you can do now.
Peace
At last, his servants retrieved the fabled lamp. Without pause the king withdrew to his private chambers with the lamp in his possession. He rubbed the lamp and out came the genie.
"You, who have summoned me. Speak thine wish and I shall it," howled the genie.
With haste, the king spoke, "Great genie, I am in need of gold. Grant me 100 gold pieces so I may live in luxury!"
"Why have 100 gold pieces when you could have 200?" said the genie.
"Why...you're right! Very well, grant me 200 gold pieces!"
"Oh, great king. Why settle for 200 gold pieces when I can grant you 400?"
"That's a great point! Make it so!"
The genie grinned. "How about 800 pieces of gold? Think of what you can buy with that amount!"
"Ohoho! I like the sound of that! Grant me 800!"
This conversation went on for hours. The king, driven by his greed, could only think of the possibilities with all of the gold he was going to have. He completely absorbed himself in fantasies of luxury.
"Wise king, wait! How about enough gold to run your entire kingdom with a life of luxury? You'd never have to worry about living in poverty!" The genie was pleased by the king's enthusiasm.
"Oh, genie! Grant me this at once!" The king was brimming with excitement.
The conversation continued, and three days later the king died.
The king was so caught up in what could-be that he let his greed and ambition get the best of him. The genie, which fed on his lust for power, kept offering the king with more money and power to rule others. In the end, the king lost sight of what was important in life and died as a result.
There are many morals in this story, but I think it's important to remember that we should learn to live with what we have and make the best of our situation. If we constantly thought about the future - what could be - we'd never take care of ourselves in the present. What's more important? Being happy now or hoping to be happy in the future? Even though the king was being promised unlimited riches he still let himself die malnourished. Money isn't everything. It may help create opportunities for you and keep a roof over your head, but there are plenty of people who make a living as vagabonds - people who travel the world, meet new people every day, don't rely on technology or money, and still manage to live. Many of them are extremely happy, lively, and completely satisfied with living a simple life. Being wealthy isn't (and has never been) a prerequisite for living happily.
Try forgetting about what could-be, and focus more on what you can do now.
Peace
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| Be careful of what you wish for |
What did you think of this story? How does it apply to your life?
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