(A story about greed and its consequences)
On the outskirts of a bustling town, a wealthy merchant lived in a grand house filled with treasures and gold coins. The merchant was kind-hearted and generous, but his wealth caught the attention of three cunning thieves who were always on the lookout for easy prey.
Late one moonless night, the three thieves crept quietly into the merchant’s house. Their eyes glistened with greed as they filled a large bag with gold coins, jewels, and valuables. Whispering excitedly about their newfound fortune, they slipped away unnoticed into the dense forest surrounding the town.
When they were deep inside the forest and far from any prying eyes, they finally stopped. “We’ve done it!” one of them exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. “This fortune will change our lives forever!”
But their victory was short-lived, as hunger soon gnawed at their stomachs. They hadn’t eaten all day and were now ravenous. “We need food,” said the first thief. “Someone must go to the nearby village and bring back something to eat.”
The other two nodded in agreement, and the youngest thief, eager to prove himself, volunteered. “I’ll go,” he said confidently. Leaving the heavy bag of money under the watchful eyes of his two companions, he disappeared into the darkness, heading toward the village.
The Young Thief’s Evil Plan
As the young thief walked toward the village, his mind raced. The clinking of coins in his pocket reminded him of the immense wealth they had stolen. Suddenly, an idea crept into his head, sly and dangerous.
“Why should I share this treasure with those two fools?” he thought. “If I get rid of them, I can keep all the money for myself!”
The thought consumed him, and he began to devise a wicked plan. Reaching the village, he stopped at a small inn and ordered a hearty meal for himself. While eating, his mind plotted his next move.
After finishing his meal, he bought food for his companions. But before heading back to the forest, he stopped at an apothecary and purchased a vial of deadly poison. Carefully, he mixed the poison into the food meant for the other two thieves. “This will be the end of them,” he whispered to himself, a cruel smile on his face.
With the poisoned food in hand, he began his journey back to the forest, his steps lighter with the thought of claiming the treasure all for himself.
The Plot in the Forest
Meanwhile, the two thieves left behind with the bag of money were not as idle as they seemed. As soon as their companion disappeared into the night, they exchanged sly glances.
“Why should we share this money with him?” the first thief said, his voice dripping with greed. “If we kill him when he returns, we can divide the money between the two of us.”
The second thief nodded eagerly. “Yes, that’s a brilliant idea! He’ll never see it coming.”
The two men sharpened a large stick and hid it behind a tree, ready to strike as soon as their companion returned. They laughed quietly, imagining the wealth they would soon split between themselves.
A Meeting of Evil Plans
The young thief finally returned, carrying the bag of poisoned food. “Here’s the food,” he said cheerfully, trying to hide the sinister intent behind his smile.
But before he could say another word, the two thieves leapt out from their hiding spot. With a swift, brutal strike, they hit him, and he fell to the ground, lifeless.
The two remaining thieves stared at the lifeless body for a moment, their breathing heavy. “That was easy,” one of them said, his voice filled with satisfaction. “Now, let’s eat and then divide the money.”
Hungry and unsuspecting of the poison, they opened the bag of food and began eating. “This food tastes amazing,” one of them said between mouthfuls. But soon, their smug expressions turned to horror as they clutched their stomachs in pain.
The poison worked swiftly, and within minutes, both thieves lay on the ground, lifeless beside their companion.
The Forest’s Silence
The forest grew eerily silent. The bag of money lay untouched, glinting faintly in the moonlight. The three thieves, who had allowed greed to consume their hearts, met their end because of their own evil plans.
By morning, the birds chirped happily, oblivious to the tragedy that had unfolded. The bag of stolen wealth sat unnoticed, a silent witness to the thieves’ folly. Eventually, the merchant’s guards, who had been searching for the stolen treasure, stumbled upon the scene. They recovered the money and took it back to its rightful owner.
The Liar and the Silent Villagers
The Moral of the Story
This tale of the three thieves teaches us a timeless lesson: As you sow, so shall you reap.
The thieves allowed greed and wickedness to rule their hearts, and in the end, they all suffered the consequences of their actions. Their greed blinded them to the value of trust and honesty, and their betrayal led to their ultimate downfall.
Making the Lesson Relevant for Kids
Children, think about this: when you plant a seed, the tree that grows from it depends on the seed you chose. If you plant kindness, honesty, and goodness, your life will bloom with happiness and trust. But if you plant lies, greed, or selfishness, the result will only bring sadness and trouble.
This story reminds us that our actions have consequences, and it’s important to make choices that reflect goodness and integrity.
Let’s always strive to be kind, honest, and fair to others. The world becomes a better place when we choose to do what is right. And remember, greed and dishonesty may seem tempting in the moment, but they never lead to lasting happiness.
The Treasure of Good Deeds
Imagine if the thieves had chosen a righteous path from the very beginning. Instead of stealing, they could have worked honestly and earned their wealth through lawful and honorable means. With hard work and sincerity, they might have built something truly meaningful—like a home, a business, or even a way to help others in need.
However, they took the path of sin, and one sin led to another. When they stole, they acted against the will of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), which planted seeds of greed, distrust, and malice in their hearts. Once they had chosen to disobey Allah, their minds naturally became filled with more ill thoughts—plots of betrayal, greed, and even murder. This shows how one sin can attract another, creating a chain of wrongdoings that spirals into destruction.
Even if they had shared the stolen money fairly, it would not have made them good people. The sin of stealing was still present, and sharing ill-gotten wealth does not erase the original wrongdoing. Dishonest actions can never lead to true goodness, no matter how fair they might appear on the surface.
This teaches us that true goodness begins with choosing the right path—one of honesty, kindness, and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Wealth or success gained through unlawful means brings only ruin, as we saw in the thieves’ story. Their greed and disobedience ultimately led to their tragic end, where they gained nothing and lost everything.
So, remember, every small sin has the potential to grow into something far worse. To protect ourselves, we must stay firm on the path of righteousness and never let greed or temptation lead us astray. The true treasure in life is not gold or riches but the blessings, peace, and fulfillment that come from doing what is right and pleasing to Allah.
And always remember: the seeds you plant today will shape the forest of your life tomorrow. Choose wisely!
