Man’s Worth

Hundreds of years ago, a rich man named Kubo lived in a small town in China. He had inherited the family business of money lending and had prospered significantly. Many merchants borrowed money from him, repaying their debts with generous interest.

A merchant named Chung borrowed a lakh of rupees from Kubo before moving his business to the capital city. As time passed, Chung did not return to repay his debt.

A Journey to the Capital

Kubo, eager to see the capital city, left his old mother, younger brother, and sister in the care of a servant and sailed off, carrying a large amount of money with him.

Upon arriving in the city, Kubo easily located Chung’s house, as Chung had become a famous figure. Chung welcomed Kubo with honor and apologized for not returning the money sooner, explaining he had been too busy. He assured Kubo that he would repay him with interest.

Indulgence and Greed

Kubo rented a luxurious house and indulged in the delights the city offered, soon attracting a crowd of vagabonds and flatterers. As three years passed, he contemplated returning home, yet a civil war erupted, making it unsafe to travel with his wealth. The government, desperate for funds, began selling high positions.

Despite lacking formal education, Kubo was eager to purchase a position. He asked his friends about his options, and they suggested that while he could buy a minor role directly, bribing ministers could elevate him to the governorship of a small province. Greed consumed Kubo, and he sought Chung’s advice.

The Hollow Throne

“You can buy a governorship, but it might not be worthwhile,” Chung cautioned. “Once you are settled, the government may remove you at any time.” Yet Kubo was undeterred, longing for prestige. “If I am removed, I will still be known as an ex-governor!” he exclaimed, convinced success was within his reach.

Eventually, Kubo became the governor of a distant province, reveling in his newfound joy. He bid farewell to his friends and prepared to return home, only to be devastated upon discovering that his hometown had been destroyed by a flood and foreign invaders.

A Mother’s Loss

Although he found his old mother living in a small hut, their reunion was bittersweet. She lamented, “I was almost dead, waiting for you in vain!” Kubo, trying to uplift her spirits, assured her of their bright future as governor and mother.

After boarding his well-furnished boat, they headed to Kubo’s new place of work. A kind monk greeted their arrival at a monastery, where they spent the day. Unable to settle into the governor’s palace just yet, Kubo and his mother stayed on their boat.

A Storm and Its Aftermath

That night, a fierce storm struck, causing a large banyan tree to fall on their boat, sinking it. Luckily, Kubo and his mother escaped but sought refuge at the monastery, where the doors were locked throughout the storm. They had to endure the tumultuous night without shelter.

The morning brought sanctuary, but Kubo’s mother fell ill and soon passed away. The monk and some town dignitaries helped with her funeral rites. However, a fresh problem arose following her death; according to Chinese tradition, Kubo could not occupy his new position for three years after his mother’s passing.

A New Path

With his wealth gone and his appointment letter lost, Kubo found himself without hospitality from influential town members, who had little interest in him now that he was no longer a governor prospect. Desperate, he sought work at a nearby port, where an officer granted him a position on a ship. Through hard work and honesty, Kubo learned new skills, eventually prospering enough to own his boat.

When the three years had passed, the monk and the town’s rich men began to show him false respect again. However, Kubo opted not to reclaim his governorship. “That is meaningless,” he declared. “I am defined by what I have earned through hard labor. That is my true worth, and I am no longer interested in false prestige.”