In a village nestled on a hillside lived two neighbors – Giles the Avaricious and Edmund the Envious. All day long, miserly Giles toiled to fill his many rooms with glittering gold and precious gems, hoarding his riches. Meanwhile, Edmund glared resentfully at Giles through his cottage window, his heart poisoning itself with envy over the fortune Giles had accrued over years of greedy labor.
One day, the embittered pair climbed the mountain path to Jupiter’s temple to plead their cases before the King of Gods. Jupiter saw into their shriveled hearts and boomed, “You shall both have your wishes granted, but your envious neighbor shall receive twice what you request.”
First, greedy Giles wished for a room overflowing with glistening gold coins and was granted his desire. But when Edmund received two rooms overflowing with even greater riches, Giles wailed in anguish, cursing Jupiter.
Then spiteful Edmund, wishing to rob Giles of all joy, asked for one of his own eyes to be put out, so his neighbor would be rendered blind. Edmund cackled with glee as Giles stumbled sightless from the temple, the darkness in Edmund’s heart plunging them both into misery.
What principles and lessons can be learned from the above stories?
Greed and envy only breed suffering. True joy lies not in gold, but in goodness of spirit and seeing others prosper.
