Gardens of Gold: A Tale of Luck
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between the rugged mountains and sparkling river, lived an old man named Harlen. Harlen was a humble farmer who worked tirelessly in his fields from dawn till dusk, yet he barely had enough to feed his family and often found himself staring at the glittering castle on the distant mountain, dreaming of a better life.
Indeed, the castle was a vision of opulence. Owned by the exceptionally wealthy Lord Giltmore, it was rumored that the gardens surrounding the castle were not of flowers, but of pure gold. Many in the village wished for an opportunity to take a glimpse, but entrance to the castle and its gardens was strictly forbidden. The insatiable curiosity about the gardens spread through the village like wildflowers. Harlen was no exception, he too, was lured by the fabled tales and decided to see the golden gardens for himself. He was determined, hoping that attaining even a single golden petal could change his fortune.
One frosty winter night, he mustered all his courage and embarked on a journey to Lord Giltmore’s castle. As the stars blinked overhead in the inky sky, Harlen crept through the sleeping village, then trudged up the steep path towards the castle. It was a perilous journey but every step strengthened his resolve.
As he reached the castle and pushed open the wooden gate, he was instantly blinded by the incredible sight. Stretched out before him were gardens gleaming for as far as the eyes could see. Every flower, every leaf, every blade of grass was of pure gold, glistening under the moonlight. Awestruck, he gingerly picked up a single golden petal that had fallen off a tree. The simple act of rebellion filled him with elation and dread in equal measure.
Just as Harlen turned to leave, his heart pounding with excitement, a loud snap echoed through the garden. He had stepped on a golden twig. All of a sudden, golden flowers started wilting, the golden leaves started to fall, and the blades of gold grass turned to dust. The entire garden was deteriorating before his eyes.
Lord Giltmore descended from the castle, his thunderous gaze falling upon the scared Harlen. Harlen, terrified yet regretful, apologized for his actions and confessed his intentions. Giltmore listened to Harlen’s tale of hardship and dreams, and his expression softened. He then revealed an astonishing fact. He explained the chilling curse that the garden lived under. The golden garden was indeed beautiful but was incapable of providing food, warmth, or joy. Touching or plucking any part of the garden could very well trigger its demise.
Remorse and guilt washed over Harlen, his dreamed wealth now turned into ash in his hands. He stood silently, the harsh reality burying his dreams of fortune. After a moment of profound silence, Giltmore extended an offer. In return for Harlen’s honesty, Giltmore proposed that Harlen be his chief gardener. He proposed cultivating a real garden teeming with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and flowers that would not only provide food for Harlen’s family but would also beautify the castle ground with vibrant life.
With newfound hope and gratitude, Harlen agreed. The golden gardens slowly transformed into a thriving oasis. Harlen realized that not all that glitters is gold. With dedication and hard work, he created a paradise true to nature, that provided sustenance and livelihood for himself and his family.
The tale of Harlen’s journey from the vision of false prosperity to the realization and creation of genuine wealth spread across the county. Thus, serves us a timeless reminder that truth and work outweigh materialistic pleasures, asserting the supremacy of honesty, hard work, and contentment in the pursuit of wealth.