303rd story

Once upon a time,

There lived a young stonecutter named Salim. He was hardworking and kind-hearted, spending his days carving rough, stubborn stones into beautiful statues and patterns. Yet deep inside, he longed for wealth and a higher status, dreaming of a life filled with comfort. Although he worked tirelessly, he earned very little and lived a simple, modest life.

One day, while Salim was busy working in his workshop, a mysterious stranger walked in. The man placed a shimmering, radiant jewel on Salim’s table, and with a gentle smile, the stranger said,

“This is a magic jewel. If you carry it with you and make a wish at a moment of great need, it will grant whatever you desire.”

Astonished by both the jewel and the stranger’s words, Salim eagerly paid anything possible he had for it—then the stranger vanished.

From that day forward, Salim kept the jewel with him at all times, hoping it would one day help him gain a better life.

A few days later, Salim held the jewel in his hands and whispered:

“I wish I were a wealthy merchant, living in luxury, free from this exhausting work.”

As soon as he made the wish, the jewel glowed brightly—and suddenly Salim found himself in a grand palace, dressed in fine robes and adorned with precious jewelry.

He became thrilled, but that didn’t last long and soon, despite all his riches, he felt no satisfaction.

Weary of this life, he turned to the jewel again:

“I wish I were the king’s right-hand man, with power and influence across the land.”

Again, the jewel gleamed, and Salim found himself standing beside the king as a powerful minister. Yet it didn’t take long for him to realize that the jealousy of other courtiers and the plots of enemies robbed him of peace. Fear and sleepless nights followed him everywhere.

In complete despair, he reached for the jewel once more and wished to be king, believing that only the throne could finally bring him true happiness. The jewel shone, and this time he was seated upon a magnificent golden throne, ruling over a vast kingdom.

But Salim soon learned that kingship came with its own burdens; the people had endless expectations, and dangers lurked in every corner. Stress and worry surrounded him even more tightly than before.

Exhausted by all his misguided wishes, he looked at the jewel with a weary heart and whispered gently:

“I wish to be the simple stonecutter I once was—a man who had peace and contentment.”

The jewel glowed one last time. Suddenly, Salim was back in his small stonecutting workshop. But now, a deep peace filled his heart, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He realized that, despite all its hardships, his old life was full of meaning—and that true happiness did not lie in power or wealth, but in simplicity, gratitude, and contentment, and that was the reason the stranger wanted to get rid of the jewel!