The Lazy Man and God’s Plan

Once there was a very lazy man. He always looked for the easiest way to get food. One day he slipped into a fruit farm to steal. The farmer saw him and chased him with a stick. The lazy man ran into the forest to hide.

There he saw a fox with only two legs. Still, the fox looked peaceful. “How does he stay alive?” the man wondered.

Then a lion came with meat in his mouth. All the animals fled—except the fox, who could not run. To the man’s surprise, the lion left a piece of meat for the fox!

“Ah,” thought the lazy man. “God takes care of everyone. Someone will feed me too.” So he sat by the road and waited. One day passed. Then two. No one came. Weak with hunger, he finally stood up.

On the path he met a wise sage. The sage gave him food and water. Then the lazy man asked, “God helped the fox. Why was God unkind to me?”

The sage smiled. “God has a plan for everyone. But you read the sign wrong. God did not want you to sit like the fox. God wanted you to be strong like the lion—and help others.”

Moral

Do not choose the easy way only. Use your strength to help people in need. See yourself as someone who can give—not only someone who waits to receive.