THE POOR COBBLER AND HIS RICH NEIGHBOUR

           Once there lived a poor but contented cobbler in a village. He earned an honest living by the sweat of his brow He worked and sang from morn till night. He was indeed the happiest man in the locality.

           The cobbler’s rich neighbor was always anxious about hi wealth. He knew no peace of mind. So being envious of the cobbler’s carefree life, he wanted to put an end to this by a clever device.

           One day the rich man gave the cobbler a bag of money, saying. “Friend, here is some money for you for improving your lot with it.”

           The cobbler was at first in a fix. Then he accepted the money and hid it in a hole inside his cottage. But his anxiety for the money made him forget his usual joy.

At last one day the poor cobbler felt that the money had matched away all his mirth. So he went to his rich neighbor with the money and said, “Sir, take back your money. My happiness and joy are more valuable than it.” So saying, the cobbler gave out a sigh of great relief and went away.

Moral: Contentment is the root of all happiness.