The Brothers and the Lesson of March
Once upon a time, there were two brothers named Jake and John. Jake was very rich and lived in a magnificent house filled to the roof with priceless treasures. In contrast, John was extremely poor, barely able to afford enough food to eat. He lived in a small mud hut on the edge of a dense forest. Jake was notoriously stingy with his wealth, and whenever poor John asked for help or food, Jake would brusquely reply, “Why don’t you seek your fortune, John, and make some money of your own?” Sadly, John was unable to find any work, as he was so ragged and destitute that no one would hire him.
The Journey Begins
One cold winter day, while sitting in his little hut trying to keep warm amid the snow, John suddenly had an idea. “I know what I will do,” he said to himself. He gathered his few belongings, wrapped them in a handkerchief, and declared, “I will walk around the world.” Despite the harsh winter chill, he set off on his long journey.
An Unexpected Encounter
John walked all day and all night, and by the next morning, his feet were blistered and sore. Just when he thought he couldn’t go on, he spotted an inn in the distance and hurried toward it. Upon entering, a warm sight greeted him: a blazing fire in the hearth surrounded by twelve men.
“Come inside and warm yourself, stranger,” one of the men said. “You must have come a long way. Stop here and take a rest.” The man helped John to the fire, while the other men prepared food for him. After an excellent meal, John felt rejuvenated and began conversing with his kind hosts.
Conversations with March
“One of the men asked him, “What do you think of this cruel weather?”
“What is there to think?” replied John. “The months of the year are just doing their duty. Some people want snow in August, and when winter comes, they cry out for sunshine. Just think what would happen to the harvest if it snowed in summer; everyone would starve.”
“But you can’t deny,” interjected another man, “that although several months are cold and miserable, March is the very worst of all with its unending winds and rains.”
“Oh, but I disagree,” said John. “March is when roses begin to bud, and the first signs of spring appear. It is always a welcome relief after the long, hard winter.”
Unbeknownst to John, the twelve men at the fire represented the different months of the year, and the young man he had spoken to was March.
The Gift
As John prepared to leave and continue his journey, the young man gifted him a small box. “Whenever you want something, just open the lid and wish,” he instructed.
John thanked them all sincerely for their hospitality and bade them goodbye as he continued on his journey. The snow-covered road made it difficult to walk, and he stumbled and slipped frequently. Eventually, the cold became unbearable, and he opened the little box to make a wish.
Wishes Granted
“I wish I had a sedan chair to carry me high on the shoulders of four strong men,” he said. Instantly, a luxurious sedan chair appeared beside him, complete with velvet cushions, lace curtains, and four strong men dressed in scarlet uniforms. They placed the chair on the ground, John stepped in, and they carried him along the icy road.
As night fell, John felt tired and opened the box again, wishing for a lovely warm bed to sleep in. Not only did a beautiful bed appear, but also an opulent stone castle that seemed to emerge suddenly from the forest. That night was the most comfortable John had ever experienced, with a bed made of the softest feathers and the lightest blankets.
Returning Home
When morning came, John decided to return home instead of continuing his travels. The four men carried him home in the sedan chair, and he arrived at his brother Jake’s house laden with gold, velvet, silk clothes, and jewels that he had found in the castle.
Upon seeing John’s wealth, Jake became filled with envy. John recounted how he came upon these riches and how he met the twelve men but omitted the questions he was asked about March and the answers he had given. Driven by greed, Jake set off to find the inn where John had rested.
Greed and Consequences
Upon arrival at the inn, Jake was invited to share a meal with the twelve men. After feasting, the man representing March asked him the same question he had posed to John. “What do you think of the terrible month of March? Don’t you think it is the worst month of the year?”
“I think we would be better off without it,” replied the foolish Jake. “I do not like cold winds; I wish we could get rid of March altogether and have sunshine all the time.”
March said nothing but, smiling craftily to himself, handed Jake a leather whip. “When you want pearls or jewels, simply say, ‘Give me a hundred,’ and that exact number will fall from the sky into your lap.”
Without thanking March, Jake hurried back to his bedroom with the whip. Instead of saying, “Give me a hundred,” he greedily demanded, “Give me lots and lots.” Instead of jewels, the whip began to lash him, punishing him for his greed. He was whipped repeatedly until he had endured at least a hundred lashes. Hearing his brother’s cries, John rushed into the house and commanded the whip to stop. He then made Jake recount the story of the whip.
A Lesson Learned
When Jake finished, John said, “My brother, it wouldn’t have cost you anything to speak kindly about the month of March. Kindness and generosity hold their own rewards. Speaking ill of things is always dangerous. Now you have learned your lesson. As for the wealth you dream of, I still have my little box, and it will provide all that we need. From now on, let us share our fortune together, for I am prepared to forgive you.”
Moved by these words, Jake begged John for forgiveness. With the beating and the lesson he had received, Jake transformed into the best brother one could hope for, and together they lived happily in Jake’s splendid house forever after.