The Clever Farmer
In a peaceful village surrounded by green fields and tall trees, there lived a poor but intelligent farmer named Ravi. Though he did not have much land or wealth, he had something far more valuable—his sharp mind. He worked hard every day on his small farm, growing vegetables and selling them in the market.
One day, a royal messenger arrived in the village and made an announcement. “His Majesty, the king, has set a challenge for the people. Whoever can answer his riddle correctly will receive a great reward.”
Excited whispers spread through the village. The challenge was open to all, so people from different villages rushed to the royal palace. Ravi, curious and eager, decided to try his luck.
The next morning, in the grand court of the palace, the king sat on his golden throne. His ministers, soldiers, and many villagers stood before him, waiting for the riddle. The king cleared his throat and said, “What grows when you take from it?”
The crowd murmured in confusion. One man stepped forward and said, “A hole, Your Majesty! The more you take from the ground, the bigger it gets.”
The king shook his head. “That is true, but not the answer I seek.”
Another man tried, “A river, Your Majesty. The more water you take, the larger it can become.”
The king sighed. “Not quite. Does anyone else have an answer?”
Ravi, who had been thinking deeply, stepped forward with confidence. He bowed and said, “Your Majesty, the answer is knowledge. The more you share knowledge with others, the more it grows.”
The king’s eyes lit up with admiration. “That is the answer I was looking for!” he declared. The entire court applauded, and Ravi smiled with pride.
As a reward for his wisdom, the king gifted him a large piece of fertile land, ensuring that he would never have to struggle again. Ravi used his intelligence to cultivate the land well, and soon, he became one of the most successful farmers in the village. But he never stopped sharing his wisdom with others, helping many people improve their lives.
Moral: Wisdom and knowledge grow when shared.
Glossary:
- Intelligent – Smart and quick to understand things.
- Announcement – An official public statement.
- Murmured – Spoke in a quiet, unclear way.
- Admiration – A feeling of great respect.
- Fertile – Rich in nutrients and good for farming.
