In a small village lived a content cobbler who spent his days happily working and singing from sunrise to sunset. His neighbor was a wealthy banker who one day asked the cobbler, “How much money do you earn in a year?”
“I earn just enough to provide for my family’s basic needs,” replied the cobbler.
“You must live in utter poverty!” exclaimed the banker.
“On the contrary, I am quite satisfied with my simple life,” said the cobbler.
The next morning, the banker returned to the cobbler’s hut with a bag filled with ten thousand taka. “My friend, please take this money to help relieve your hardship,” he insisted.
At first, the humble cobbler politely declined the gift but eventually accepted it graciously. That night, the cobbler tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Where could he safely keep such a large amount of cash? He finally buried the money in a hole in his dirt floor.
From then on, the cobbler was consumed with anxiety. He was constantly worried that the money would be stolen from its hiding place. This stress robbed him of his peaceful nights and joyful days. He found he could hardly work or sing anymore. The cobbler now realized that, though he had money, he had lost his contentment and inner peace.
After weeks of anguish, the cobbler unearthed the bag of taka and returned it to the banker. “Please take this money back, my friend,” the cobbler implored. “I have learned that true wealth lies not in what we have, but in being satisfied with what we need.” From that day forward, the cobbler happily embraced his simple, fulfilling life once more.
