THE KINGDOM OF JOY
Once upon a time in an Arabian kingdom of Alznabard, situated among sandy dunes, nestled a magical oasis, filled with lush greenery, an array of flora, fauna, and an enchanting waterfall. Among the locals, there was a young boy, Malik, who was known for his courage, honesty, and kindness. However, he was different from others as he was incapable of experiencing joy.
Malik's parents were renowned traders. They amassed immense wealth but could not help Malik in his sorrowful life. All the wealth couldn't provide him with happiness. The rumors of his condition reached beyond the realm of humans, then to the lands of mystical beings.
Intrigued by the boy's plight, an elderly Djinn named Azraq decided to meet Malik. The powerful yet compassionate Djinn attempted to bring happiness into Malik's life by presenting him with precious jewels and magical toys. However, Malik remained unaffected.
Determined, Azraq delved deep into human emotions. He discovered that humans derived happiness not from materialistic possessions but love, kindness, compassion, and helping others. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Azraq decided to plan an adventure for Malik, which would guide him towards true happiness.
One sunny day, Malik found a magical, golden compass mysteriously placed near his bedside. His curiosity piqued, and against his joyless demeanor, an inkling of interest sparked. He picked up the compass and noticed it pointing towards the heart of the Kingdom.
Driven by curiosity, Malik embarked on his journey, following the compass. As he journeyed, he encountered a poor, famished child. Although Malik had countless riches, he realized that sharing a piece of bread would not make him poorer but would provide relief to the unfortunate child. He shared his food, and in return, received a genuine smile and gratitude. Surprisingly, for the first time in his life, Malik felt a warm sensation in his chest.
Further into his journey, he came across a trapped fox whimpering pitifully. Despite the risk, Malik freed the fox. The fox, grateful for his kindness, led him to a hidden path, which would help Malik reach his destination faster.
When Malik finally reached his destination, he found himself standing in front of an ancient, crumbling temple. Inside the sacred walls, he found an inscribed stone slab indicating that the temple was a shrine dedicated to the Goddess of Joy. The instructions on the slab prompted him to offer his greatest joy before the alter of the Goddess.
Fresh memories flooded back to Malik. He thought of the hungry child's smile when he shared his food and the grateful eyes of the fox he freed. He realized, he had not one but two joys to offer. Malik knelt before the altar where he expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the experiences he had on his journey.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and a wave of brilliant light enveloped Malik. He felt a surge of joy overwhelming him. The Goddess, moved by his offerings, not only granted him the ability to experience happiness but also allowed him to spread joy and happiness among others.
Malik returned to his Kingdom, where he used his prodigious wealth for the welfare and happiness of its dwellers. The Kingdom flourished, and so, became known as the 'Kingdom of Joy'. From then on, Malik not only lived happily sharing joy with others but also experienced immense joy within himself.
Azraq watched from a distance, seeing Malik now brimming with happiness; he too felt joy. He realized that joy lay not only in giving but also in teaching others to give. His quest to bring happiness to a joyless boy had brought him immeasurable joy.
Thus, in their pursuit of happiness, both the human and the Djinn found joy in the most unlikely places.