The Golden Elephant.

Once upon a time, in a small village in Thailand, there lived a wealthy merchant named Krit. Krit was known throughout the village for his arrogance and his love for flaunting his wealth. He owned many luxurious items, but his most prized possession was a golden elephant statue that he kept in his home.
One day, Krit decided to show off his golden elephant to the villagers. He paraded through the streets with the statue on his shoulders, boasting about his wealth and power. As he passed by a poor man named Somchai, he sneered and said, “You will never have anything as valuable as my golden elephant.”
Somchai, who was known for his humility, replied, “I may not have any material possessions, but I am content with what I have.”
Krit laughed and continued on his way, but little did he know that his arrogance would soon be his downfall.
That night, Krit had a dream that a wise old man appeared to him and told him that he would lose everything if he did not learn the value of humility. Krit woke up feeling uneasy but dismissed the dream as nonsense.
The next day, Krit woke up to find his golden elephant missing. He searched high and low but could not find it. He went to the village chief to report the theft, but the chief simply replied, “Perhaps the golden elephant was not meant for you.”
Krit was devastated. He had lost his most prized possession and could not bear the thought of being without it. He searched for days until he finally came across Somchai, who was sitting under a tree.
Somchai had found the golden elephant in a field and had been waiting for the rightful owner to claim it. Krit was overjoyed to have his golden elephant back and offered Somchai a large sum of money as a reward.
But Somchai refused the reward and said, “I am content with what I have. The joy of doing the right thing is reward enough for me.”
Krit was humbled by Somchai’s kindness and realized the error of his ways. He learned that true wealth was not measured by material possessions but by the contentment and happiness one finds in life.
From that day on, Krit became a changed man. He no longer flaunted his wealth and instead used it to help those in need. He also became good friends with Somchai and learned the value of humility and the rewards of modesty.

Moral

The story of the Golden Elephant teaches several morals and lessons, including:
1. Humility: The story highlights the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. The king’s arrogance and pride blinded him to the true value of the golden elephant, causing him to lose it to the humble farmer.
2. Modesty: The story also emphasizes the rewards of modesty. The farmer’s modesty and contentment with his simple life allowed him to appreciate the true value of the golden elephant and earn the king’s respect and admiration.
3. Value of hard work: The farmer’s hard work and dedication to his farm and animals ultimately paid off, leading to his unexpected fortune.
4. The unpredictability of life: The story also shows that life is unpredictable, and unexpected opportunities can arise at any time. It is important to be prepared and open to new experiences and opportunities.
Overall, the story of the Golden Elephant teaches us to be humble, modest, hardworking, and open-minded in order to achieve success and happiness in life.

Origin of the Story: Thailand