• The Stonecutter’s Journey to Contentment

True happiness comes from within

Long ago, in a humble village nestled at the foot of a towering mountain, there lived a poor yet hardworking stonecutter. Each morning, as the first rays of the sun touched the peaks, he set out with his simple tools, climbing the rocky slopes to carve large blocks of stone. He then carried them down to the market, where he sold them to builders and craftsmen. Though his work was difficult, he found joy in his labor and was content with his modest life.

One day, as he made his way through the village after a long day of work, he passed by the grand estate of a wealthy merchant. The sight before him was one of luxury and ease—servants rushed about carrying trays of food, and the rich man reclined in the cool shade of his splendid garden, his hands unstained by labor.

The stonecutter paused and sighed deeply. "How fortunate this man is," he thought. "He does not toil under the scorching sun or strain his muscles lifting heavy stones. If only I were as rich as him, then I would truly be happy."

His wistful longing did not go unheard. The spirit of the mountain, which had watched over him for years, took pity on his desire and granted his wish. In an instant, the stonecutter found himself transformed. No longer did he wear the tattered clothes of a laborer—now, he was dressed in fine silk, seated in a magnificent home with servants attending to his every need.

"At last, I have found true happiness," he thought, basking in his newfound comfort. But as days passed, his satisfaction began to fade. From his lavish estate, he caught sight of the king’s palace in the distance—a grand fortress of gold and marble, far more magnificent than his own.

"The king is even greater than I am," he thought enviously. "If I were the king, then I would be truly happy."

Once again, the spirit of the mountain granted his wish. In an instant, he found himself sitting on a golden throne, adorned in regal robes, ruling over a vast kingdom. Servants bowed before him, nobles sought his favor, and he wielded immense power.

"Now, this must be true happiness," he thought, reveling in his royal stature. But one day, as he rode through his kingdom, the scorching sun blazed down upon him, making him sweat despite his silken robes. The heat was so relentless that even he, a mighty king, had no choice but to retreat into the shade.

"The sun is stronger than I am," he realized. "If I were the sun, then I would truly be happy."

And so, the spirit of the mountain granted his wish once more. He became the sun, shining fiercely in the sky, casting his golden rays upon the world below. He felt powerful as people shielded their eyes and sought shelter from his intense heat.

"Now, I am truly the greatest of all!" he declared. But just as he was basking in his supreme power, a vast, dark cloud moved across the sky, blocking his light. No matter how brightly he burned, the cloud obscured him from view.

"The cloud is stronger than I am," he admitted. "If I were a cloud, then I would truly be happy."

With a whisper from the mountain spirit, he transformed into a mighty storm cloud. He roamed the skies, pouring rain upon the land, causing rivers to swell and fields to flood. People ran for shelter as his thunder rumbled across the heavens.

"Surely, now I am the most powerful," he thought. But then he noticed something unusual—no matter how fiercely he rained upon the mountain, it stood firm and unmoved. It did not tremble before his storm.

"The mountain is stronger than I am," he mused. "If I were the mountain, then I would truly be happy."

And so, the spirit of the mountain transformed him into the very thing he admired. Now he stood tall and unshakable, towering above the land, feeling the strength of eternity within him. No wind could move him, no rain could erode him.

"At last, I am the greatest of all," he thought. But before long, he felt something sharp against his side—a small yet persistent chisel, chipping away at his surface. He looked down and saw a humble stonecutter, just like he had once been, steadily carving away at his mighty form.

It was then that he realized the truth: The stonecutter, in his simple life, had power over the mountain itself.

A deep sigh escaped him. "The stonecutter is greater than I am," he admitted. "If I were a stonecutter, then I would truly be happy."

For the final time, the spirit of the mountain listened. In an instant, he was back to his original form—a simple stonecutter with a chisel in his hand and a strong will in his heart. This time, however, he did not long for anything else. He smiled as he felt the familiar weight of his hammer, the warmth of the sun on his back, and the satisfaction of honest work.

From that day forward, he never wished to be anything other than himself. He had journeyed through power, wealth, and might, only to discover that true happiness had always been within him.

And so, he lived the rest of his days in peace, grateful for the simple joys of life.