It was a long time ago. A just and mighty king ruled a large and prosperous kingdom. One day, he went hunting. He was accompanied by a troop of cavalry. The forest was dense—tall trees, the howling wind, and the sounds of birds filled the atmosphere with mystique.
The king had traveled a long distance while chasing a deer. Suddenly, clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour began. Strong gusts of wind shook the trees. The king somehow managed to take shelter under a large tree.
After a while, when the rain subsided, the king looked around—there were no soldiers or servants. He dismounted his horse and began walking. The dense forest, the muddy paths, and the silence all around. Gradually, he began to feel intense hunger and thirst. The exhausted king began to despair.
Just then, he saw three young men approaching from a distance. Their faces were innocent, and their clothes were simple. The king called out to them, "Sons, can I find water or food anywhere here? I am very hungry and thirsty."
The three boys immediately said, "Your Majesty, I will definitely find it! Please come to our house."
They all ran to their house and returned shortly with fresh food and water. They respectfully seated the king, washed his feet, and served him with respect.
After the meal was over, the king said affectionately, "Sons, I am very pleased with your hospitality. Tell me, what do you want from me? Whatever you ask, you will surely receive it."
The first boy immediately said, "Your Majesty, I want a lot of money so that I can live happily for the rest of my life."
The king smiled, "As you wish." The second boy said, "I want a fast horse and a big, beautiful house." The king said, "You will receive that too."
Now it was the third boy's turn. He remained silent for a moment, then said in a humble voice, "Your Majesty, I simply want knowledge. Because knowledge is the only wealth that never ends."
The king was astonished to hear this. He recognized the boy's intelligence and said, "Son, your thinking is excellent. I will arrange for a learned teacher for you."
The king sent him to the kingdom's best teacher. The boy began to study diligently. Time passed, and he became so profound in knowledge that the king appointed him his chief minister.
A few years later, the king remembered his old forest incident. He ordered that the three boys be summoned to the palace.
The court was set up, and the three young men appeared. The king affectionately asked, "Tell me, sons, how are you all?"
The first boy said, "Your Majesty, I am now penniless. The money you gave me has long since been exhausted. In the pursuit of pleasure, I gave up hard work, and now I have nothing left."
The second one said, "Your Majesty, my horse was stolen, my house was sold. I lost everything."
Then the king smiled and asked the third young man, "And you, my minister?"
The minister humbly replied, "Your Majesty, I only asked you for knowledge. That knowledge has become the greatest asset of my life. It is growing every day and is bringing me respect, happiness, and honor."
Hearing this, both young men bowed their heads and began to regret. Tears welled up in their eyes. They now understood that wealth and prosperity are mortal, but *knowledge is immortal.
The king explained to everyone, “If wealth is lost, it can be earned again, but if knowledge is lost, everything is lost. Thieves can sometimes take away wealth, but no one can snatch knowledge. The truth is that— Knowledge is true wealth, and it is a man's true ornament.”
All three bowed at the king's feet. The king blessed them, “Always pursue knowledge, because knowledge is the elixir of life.”
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