The Key is Being Thrifty – A Historical Tale of Saving and Prosperity

Once upon a time, in the prosperous Kingdom of Artois, there ruled a wise and benevolent monarch named King Jean Marie. Now in the twilight of his life, King Jean Marie had followed in the footsteps of his forefathers by upholding justice and ensuring peace throughout his domain. Yet, despite the kingdom’s surface prosperity, the King was deeply concerned about one matter: the well-being of his peasants.

The people of Artois were hardworking—farmers, woodcutters, blacksmiths, tailors, merchants, masons, soldiers, and many others. They toiled from dawn to dusk, yet their conditions remained meager. Despite their diligence, the peasants barely made enough to survive, with little hope of improving their station in life.

One evening, as the King voiced his worries to Queen Sofia, she praised his tireless efforts and assured him that he had already done much for his people. But the King, not one to rest on past achievements, replied,
“I must do more. My people deserve a life of dignity and progress.”

The Pope’s Visit and a Royal Council

By providence, the next day, the Pope himself arrived to visit the Royal Castle. He was pleased with the peace and prosperity that Artois exhibited, yet when he saw the furrowed brows of the King, he sensed there was a deeper worry in his heart. That afternoon, as the Royal Family gathered for a grand lunch, the King announced,
“This evening, I will convene the Royal Council. I request your presence, Your Holiness, for your wisdom may guide us once again.”

The Pope graciously agreed.

By evening, the grand chamber filled with governors, the Chief Minister, Queen Sofia, the King’s grandsons—Prince Jerome and Prince Joel, the administrators, and the Pope himself.

The King laid forth his concern.
“Our peasants work endlessly, yet their wealth remains stagnant. A day’s labor earns them but 20 to 50 copper coins. Their living costs are barely covered, leaving nothing to save for the future.”

The King elaborated on the currency system of Artois:

• 100 copper coins = 1 silver coin

• 100 silver coins = 1 gold coin

• 25 gold coins = 1 pearl

• 10 pearls = 1 ruby

“Thus, a man without even a silver coin is counted among the poor,” the King concluded.

The room fell into thoughtful silence. Everyone looked expectantly at the Pope, who finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm.

“The issue, my dear King, is not merely about earnings—it is about savings. The peasants live hand-to-mouth because no one has taught them the importance of saving, of being thrifty. Without savings, there is no stepping stone to wealth.”

The Power of Saving: The Pope’s Lesson

The Pope illustrated with a story:
“Imagine a fisherman earning 25 copper coins daily. He spends 15 to 20 coins on necessities. If he sets aside just 5 to 10 coins daily, in a year he could accumulate 10 to 12 silver coins—enough to buy a small boat. With the boat, his earnings would rise, and his savings would grow exponentially. With discipline, in a few years, he might afford a house of his own and live comfortably. Savings, like the River Sonne, start as a trickle but become a mighty current with consistency.”

He concluded,
“Thrift is the secret to prosperity. But it must be taught and facilitated.”

The King, his face lighting with hope, asked,
“How shall we teach this to the peasants?”

The Pope proposed that the village headmen from all corners of the kingdom be summoned for training in Thrift Planning. They would then educate their villagers on saving methods. Additionally, the state should support this by providing an incentive: for every 100 copper coins saved per month, the kingdom would add an extra 5 copper coins.

To manage this, each headman would receive a fund of silver coins to cover administrative tasks and be trained to record savings accurately. The headmen would safeguard these savings, ensuring accountability.

The King’s Proclamation and the People’s Progress

King Jean Marie immediately issued a Royal Proclamation:

• Village headmen were to undergo formal training in thrift planning and basic accounting.

• An annual review by administrators would track progress.

• The savings scheme, with its monthly incentives, would be publicly announced to encourage participation.

Training sessions commenced, and the headmen excelled, returning to their villages equipped with knowledge and purpose. In just a few months, the impact was evident. Peasants began saving small amounts daily, motivated by the state’s incentive and their newfound understanding of thrift.

King Jean Marie, accompanied by his grandsons and administrators, personally visited the villages. To his delight, he saw modest homes being built, fishermen buying boats, craftsmen purchasing better tools, and markets bustling with new trade. The faces of peasants, once worn with fatigue, now glowed with pride and hope.

Legacy of Prosperity

Artois blossomed, its wealth no longer confined to the aristocracy but spreading evenly among its people. The King’s wish had come true—his people knew the power of “working and saving.”

The wisdom of the Pope and the vision of King Jean Marie ensured that the Kingdom of Artois thrived for generations, remembered forever as a land where simple thrift unlocked prosperity.

Moral of the Story:

Consistent saving, even in small amounts, can lead to great prosperity. The habit of being thrifty empowers individuals to transform their lives and rise beyond their circumstances.