The Millionaire Miser
Once upon a time, in a certain village, there lived a wealthy merchant named Richard. He owned many lands and sold grains and vegetables. His business was so good that he was a millionaire.
You'd think he lived a life of luxury and spending. But Richard was a miser and a half.
— Father, my shoes are worn out. I need new ones. — What? I bought them for you two years ago. Do you want me to go completely broke? — Father, my feet are growing, and these shoes, look how badly they hurt me. — Only new shoes hurt you. Which means you haven't worn these enough, and they're still new. Take this and buy yourself some foot ointment. The ointment costs half a ducat, while shoes cost 30. — But, Father! — Enough! Go! All they want is my money. I don't know what to do anymore.
The Miser and His Family
That's how Richard was. He wouldn't spend a penny on anything. While his treasure room was full of gold, pearls, and diamonds, his own shoes were worn out.
His family's clothes were patched, and his family and servants were only allowed to eat two meals a day. One day, Richard was walking through the market, making his servants carry sacks full of grain. He didn't want to pay for a cart. Just then, he passed by the bakery. The baker had just finished decorating a huge, fresh chocolate cake.
The delicious aroma of the cake reached Richard's nose, making him desperately want to taste the wonderful cake.
— You're back? — Yes, yes, yes. — What happened? — Nothing. — Are you not feeling well? — No. I want cake. A fresh, sticky, and delicious chocolate cake! Yes! — That sounds delicious! I'll make not one cake, but 10 for us, for the servants, and for the workers. — What? That's why I didn't want to tell you anything. Do you want me to go completely broke? — Alright. Let me at least make one for you, for me, and for the children. — Why should the children eat it too? I mean, I want to say, it will ruin their teeth. — Alright. Then I'll just make a small cake for the two of us. — You want cake too? — I can't believe it, Richard. Fine, if you want, I'll just make you a muffin. Will you manage to save your fortune that way? — Make it quickly, I can't wait to taste it.
The Angel's Lesson
So Richard's wife made him a single chocolate muffin. Oh, it was fresh, sticky, delicious, and full of chocolate.
Richard ate it immediately, then licked his fingers, and even licked the plate clean. But he didn't offer his wife even a single crumb.
It so happened that an angel saw the whole scene, which greatly upset him.
— Such a blessed and wealthy man, yet so miserly and wicked. Instead, instead of sharing his wealth with the world, he wouldn't even let his own family enjoy it. He deserves to be taught a lesson. A good one.
So the angel waited until the next morning, when Richard left for work. Then he transformed himself into Richard and entered the house, calling all his servants.
— Everyone, everyone come here! — Yes, sir! — I just met an angel who advised me to share my wealth with everyone. He told me that if I do this, I will die tonight. So go into the village and tell everyone that today my treasure room is open. Anyone can come and take what they wish. Go now! If I try to stop you, hit me with a stick to drive me away, because remember, if I don't share my wealth, I will die. — As you wish, sir!
So the servants went into the village to deliver their master's message. Soon, the entire village gathered in Richard's courtyard, each taking diamonds, gold, and money from the treasure room. At noon, when Richard returned to eat lunch, he suffered the shock of his life.
— Eh? Hey! How dare you? Get out of my treasure room! Servants, drive them away! Thieves! Come back! — He's driving people away! — Then we must hit him with the stick! — How can we do that? He's our master! — Don't you remember what he said this morning? To hit him and drive him away!
Thus, poor Richard was driven out of his own house by his own servants. Then he decided to go to the king's court and tell him the whole story.
— The whole village was stealing from me, Your Highness! — But you actually asked them to come and share your wealth with them. Are there eyewitnesses? — I was at work all morning, Your Highness! — Are you the real Richard? — Who is he? Who is this? He's a swindler and a rogue! — It's impossible to tell the difference between you. Hmm.
The King's Judgment
— But if I had to choose, why wouldn't I believe the one who shares his fortune, and instead choose to believe the one who is so miserly that his own family is starving? — Your Highness! Will you imprison me? — Perhaps. — Your Highness? No, he's telling the truth! He is the real Richard, and I am an angel. I did this to teach him a lesson. — Arrest him, Your Highness! He tried to take my wealth! — Your Highness, as his wife, his wealth belongs to me too. I agree that my husband truly is a cursed miser. The good angel was not wrong in trying to punish him. — Did you hear that, Richard? What's the point of clinging to wealth if your loved ones are annoyed and hurt by your greed? You have no friends, and your family won't consider me unjust if I send you to prison. Is this the life you want? — No, Your Highness! I'm sorry. I realize my folly now. — Very well. I'll give you another chance to change your ways. — Thank you, Your Highness! — To celebrate my husband's change of heart, I announce a banquet for everyone in the village. — Alright, alright. Fine, do as you wish.
The moral of the story: True wealth is not in how much you have, but in how much you are willing to share with others and in the happiness of those around you.
