The Happiness of a Fool

Once upon a time, there lived a poor man. No matter how hard he worked or struggled, he could never escape poverty.
Finally, he reached a point of despair and decided: "I will go and search for God. I will find Him and ask how long I must suffer. And I’ll also ask for something to improve my lot."

On his way, he met a wolf.
"Good journey, brother! Where are you going?" asked the wolf.
"I’m going to God," replied the poor man. "I want to tell Him about my sorrow."
"When you reach God," said the wolf, "tell Him this: there is a hungry wolf in the world who roams the mountains and valleys all day long but cannot find food. Ask Him: how long must this wolf go hungry? And tell Him: if You created him, then You must also feed him."
"Very well," said the poor man and continued on his way.

After walking for some time, he met a beautiful young woman.
"Where are you going, brother?" asked the girl.
"I’m going to God."
"When you see God," pleaded the beauty, "tell Him this: there is a young, healthy, and wealthy girl who knows neither joy nor happiness. What should she do?"
"I will tell Him," promised the poor man and went on his way.

Next, he came across a tree. Though it stood right by the river, it was completely withered.
"Where are you going, traveler?" asked the tree.
"I’m going to God."
"Then wait, and convey my words to Him. Tell Him: is it fair that I stand by the river, yet I remain dry all year round? When will I turn green again?"
The poor man listened to the tree’s complaint and continued his journey.

He walked and walked until he finally reached God. He saw God seated in the form of a white-haired old man beneath a high mountain, leaning against a cliff.
"Good day!" said the poor man, standing before God.
"Welcome," replied God. "What do you need?"
"I want You to treat all people equally—not to give everything to one and nothing to another. Look at me: no matter how hard I work or struggle, I can’t escape poverty. Yet others work half as much as I do and live in comfort and peace."
"Very well, go now. You will soon become rich. I will send you happiness. Live and enjoy."
"I have another matter, Lord," said the poor man and told God about the complaints of the hungry wolf, the beautiful girl, and the withered tree. God gave answers to all the questions. The poor man thanked Him and left.

On his way back, he approached the withered tree.
"What did God say about me?" asked the withered tree.
"He said that gold is buried beneath you. Until it is dug up and your roots are given space, you will not turn green."
"Then where are you going? Dig up the gold—it will benefit us both: you will become rich, and I will turn green."
"No, I don’t have time. I’m in a hurry. God has granted me happiness, and I must find it quickly to enjoy it," replied the poor man and walked away.

As he walked, the beautiful girl blocked his path:
"What message do you bring for me?"
"God said: You must find a good husband. Then your sadness will leave you, and you will live in joy and happiness."
"Well, if that’s the case, then be my dear husband."
"Not a chance! I don’t have time. God has promised me happiness, and I must find it quickly to enjoy it," said the poor man and marched on.

On the road, the hungry wolf was waiting for him.
As soon as the wolf saw the poor man, he rushed to him:
"Well, what did God say?"
"My brother, after you, I met a beautiful girl and a withered tree. The girl wanted to know why her life was so joyless, and the tree wanted to know why it couldn’t turn green in spring and summer. I told God, and He said: ‘The girl must find a companion.’"
"And what did He say about me?" asked the hungry wolf.
"He said that you will roam hungry until you find a fool. Once you devour him, you will be satisfied."
"There’s no one more foolish than you," said the wolf and ate the fool.

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The Happiness of a Fool

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