The Woodcutter’s Choice: True Wealth Through Generosity

Once upon a time, as Vikram carried Betal on his shoulder, Betal began telling him a tale of fate and choices. The story was about a woodcutter, a man of simple means who worked tirelessly every day yet remained poor. In his heart, he longed for wealth, so one day, he approached a wise sage and asked, “Will I ever become rich?”

The sage examined his palm, looked deep into his eyes, and replied, “No matter how hard you work, wealth will never come to you, and you will die poor.” The woodcutter felt a wave of disappointment, but he resolved to continue his life as it was.

One day, while cutting down trees in the forest, he stumbled upon a hidden pot of gold. Astonished, he thought he could finally change his life. But then, he remembered the sage’s prophecy, which echoed in his mind. He pondered over the gold and decided that if he was destined to die poor, he would use this newfound wealth for the good of others instead.

He spent the gold building wells for the villagers, providing food for the hungry, and helping those in need. Though he never kept any for himself, his generosity earned him respect, love, and gratitude from everyone around him.

Years passed, and the woodcutter grew old. He passed away, leaving behind no riches for himself but a legacy of compassion that would be remembered forever. 

When Betal finished the story, he asked Vikram, “Was the sage’s prophecy false?” Vikram replied, “The prophecy was true. The woodcutter never claimed the wealth for himself, so he never became rich in the worldly sense. Yet, his actions made him rich in the hearts of others.”

**Moral:** True wealth is not measured by material possessions, but by the impact one has on the lives of others.