The Miser’s Wealth
The Rich Miser
Long ago, there lived a rich man who was as miserly as he was wealthy. He hoarded his wealth in huge casks hidden in an underground cellar. The casks overflowed with gold, silver, and copper coins.
The owner lived in a dingy house and spent nothing on its repair. He offered no help to the people and never lent his money to anyone. During a devastating famine, he did nothing to help, instead hindering others with his criticism of the government.
The Invasion
One day, the country in which he lived was invaded by foreign troops. Thinking only of his safety, he hurriedly filled his casks with wax to conceal the glittering coins underneath. He then ran off to the next city, hoping to return once the danger had passed. He left the casks behind in the cellar, certain that no one would look twice at the wax.
The invading forces ransacked the city and looted everything they could find. They removed the casks from the miser’s house and deposited them before their General, who wrinkled his nose in distaste and said, “Give these to anyone who will take them. Who in their right mind would want three barrels full of wax?”
The Candle Maker’s Discovery
A candle maker named Dinu offered to take the casks home. The General was glad to be relieved of the burden, and Dinu brought the wax-laden barrels home. After the soldiers had departed, he dug into the wax and was surprised to hear the clink of coins. Quickly, he pried the wax away from the top and was delighted to discover a veritable hoard of gold and silver coins beneath the surface. There was so much wealth that it was beyond his imagination.
Fearing discovery, Dinu spent only a little at a time to cover his daily needs, finding himself with far more money than he could imagine what to do with.
The Gift of Generosity
Finally, he decided to confide in his best friend, a tailor named Hamid. One day, he ordered a shirt from Hamid and gave him a few gold coins as payment. Hamid scratched his head and said, “I can’t give you change for such a large amount. Just tender me the exact charges.”
Dinu then explained how he had come by the gold coins and how he was uncertain about their rightful use. He offered to share half his wealth with Hamid, but Hamid declined, saying, “I did not earn it, so I don’t want it.”
Dinu insisted that Hamid should take some of the money to relieve him of much anxiety. Reluctantly, Hamid accepted a handful of gold coins, saying, “Very well. I’ll take these; this should see me through life comfortably. I suggest you do likewise. As for the rest, spend it on charity so that many can be happy and comfortable. Whoever hoarded this money must have been a great miser, and therefore an enemy of the people.”
Dinu was delighted with this suggestion and spent the money on helping the poor and deserving.
The Miser’s Return
After a few days, the rich man crept back into the town and visited his shabby home. What great grief he felt when he discovered his loss! He raved and ran down the street shouting, “My gold and silver! Have you seen it?”
People thought he was mad, and no one paid any attention to his words. One day, tired and worn out, the rich man arrived at Dinu’s house. Dinu, taking pity on his condition, gave him clothes to wear and food to eat. Never for a moment did he suspect that the wretched man standing before him was the very rich man whose wealth he was putting to such good use.