Pot of Gold Mohanlal was the royal barber and earned a handsome salary. He was a cheerful man whom everyone liked. One night when he was returning home through the forest he heard some voice. Mohanlal ran, as he was worried that ghosts might chase him. The voice assured him that it only wanted to thank Mohanlal for the kindness he showed to trees. Mohanlal was too scared to pay any attention to the spirit. To his amazement he found seven pots of gold at home. The first six were filled with gold while the seventh was only half-full. Mohanlal and his wife decided to fill the seventh pot to the brim with gold. From the next day, he began to drop all his earnings into the pot. Even after several days, the pot wouldn't full up. The couple began to go hungry hoping to save more money. By the end of the month Mohanlal was losing sleep over the seventh pot of gold. Mohanlal's wife suggested that he should ask the king for a raise. That way could drop all the extra income into the pot. Surely by the end of the second month the pot was bound to fill up. Mohanlal approached the king with a request for a raise. The king noticed that Mohanlal was depressed and appeared worried. The king raised his salary. Despite all their efforts the couple could not fill the seventh pot. Mohanlal decided to ask the king for another raise. The king thought for a moment. It was unlike Mohanlal to be so depressed. Beside he was being paid handsomely. Then the king asked, "Have you been given seven pots of gold by the forest spirit?" Mohanlal gaped at him and nodded his headed. The king then said, "The forest spirit once gave me six and a half pots of gold. I could have easily used the six pots. Instead, I spend all my time filling up the seventh pot. Return the pots to the forest. You will regain your peace of mind". Mohanlal heeded the king's advice. He threw the pots away and lived happily with his wife.
Hi Ashna, This story was taught to us in Moral Science classes when we were kids. Glad to see that here after such a long time.