The Wise Merchant and the Golden Grain

Once in a small village in Korea, there lived a wise and kind-hearted merchant named Chulsoo. He was known for his generosity and fairness. Chulsoo had a younger brother named Hyunsoo, who was greedy and selfish. While Chulsoo worked hard to trade goods and help the villagers, Hyunsoo spent his days lounging and scheming how to get rich without effort.

One day, Chulsoo received a rare golden grain from a traveler as a token of appreciation. The traveler told him that the grain had magical powers and would bring prosperity to whoever planted it with good intentions. Chulsoo, being wise, decided to plant the grain in his garden. He took care of it with great dedication, and soon, a magnificent golden tree grew in his garden. The tree bore fruits that turned into gold coins when they ripened. Chulsoo used the wealth to help the poor and improve the village, earning the love and respect of everyone.

When Hyunsoo heard about the golden tree, he became envious. He demanded that Chulsoo should give him the tree, but Chulsoo refused, explaining that the tree only grew because it was nurtured with kindness. Determined to have the tree, Hyunsoo sneaked into the garden one night and dug up the tree to plant it in his own yard. However, the next morning, the tree had withered and died. No matter how hard Hyunsoo tried, the tree wouldn't grow again.

Realizing his mistake, Hyunsoo went to his brother, ashamed and apologetic. "Forgive me, brother," he said, "I was blinded by greed." Chulsoo embraced his brother and said, "Greed destroys, but kindness heals. Let's work together from now on." From that day for, the two brothers lived in harmony, and the village prospered.

Read the text about a peaceful morning and answer the questions that follow: