The Needs and Desires

Once there was a rich king who still felt unhappy. One day he heard a servant singing while he worked. The king wondered, “I have so much. Why is this servant happier than I am?”

“Why are you so happy?” the king asked.

“Your Majesty,” said the servant, “my family and I need only a safe roof and warm food. That is enough for us.”

The king asked his wise advisor for help. The advisor smiled. “He has not joined the 99 Club yet.”

“What is that?” asked the king.

“Place ninety-nine gold coins in a bag at his door,” said the advisor. “Then you will see.”

The servant found the bag and shouted with joy. He counted the coins again and again. There were ninety-nine—not one hundred. “Where is the last coin?” he fretted. He searched everywhere. From that day he worked too hard, grew grumpy, and stopped singing. He thought only of earning the missing coin.

The king was puzzled. The advisor explained, “Now he has joined the 99 Club—people who have enough, yet always chase one more thing before they allow themselves to be happy.”

Moral

Be thankful for what you already have. If we always chase one more desire, we can lose sleep, kindness, and joy. Keep a healthy balance between needs and wants.