Long ago in southern India, a skilled carpet weaver named Shaka lived in poverty despite his remarkable talent. His carpets were so detailed and exquisite that he could only finish one per year, which left him and his family struggling to make ends meet. Just as he was about to complete a particularly beautiful piece, his loom suddenly broke. Faced with the possibility of not earning any income, Shaka set out with an axe in hand, determined to find a strong piece of wood to repair it and save his craft.
The Tree of the Mountain Spirit
“Stop! This tree is my home. I am the Mountain Spirit, and you may not cut it down.”
Shaka paused, desperate but respectful. “Great spirit, I mean no harm, but without this wood, I cannot finish my carpet. My family will go hungry. Please, could you find another home so I may use this tree?”
The Mountain Spirit replied, “No, this tree is sacred to me. But I will grant you a wish instead. Ask for anything but the tree, and I shall give it to you.”
A Tempting Offer and a Wiser Choice
Shaka agreed to return after discussing the offer with his wife. On the way home, he ran into a close friend. When the friend heard about the spirit’s offer, he quickly advised:
“Ask to become a king! If you’re king, I’ll be your chief minister. We’ll live in luxury for the rest of our lives!”
Shaka nodded but said he would speak with his wife first.
At home, his wife listened carefully and offered her own wisdom:
“Don’t wish to be king. Kings carry the burden of worry, surrounded by flatterers and enemies. Instead, ask the spirit for a magical loom—one that lets you weave faster and create even more beautiful carpets.”
Shaka agreed. But as he walked back through the forest, doubt crept in. “If the loom does all the work,” he thought, “what joy will there be in selling carpets I didn’t truly make? Will it still feel like my craft?”
When he arrived at the golden tree, he told the spirit:
“I don’t want to be king. I don’t even want a magical loom. All I ask is that you help me repair my loom and maybe give me the strength to work faster and better.”
The Mountain Spirit smiled. “Wise choice. Your wish is granted.”
A Legacy Woven by Hand
When Shaka returned home, he found his loom fully repaired. He sat down and began to weave. This time, he worked faster and more joyfully than ever before. The carpet he finished was not only beautiful—it was a masterpiece.
He took it to market, where people praised his talent. Orders poured in from towns near and far. Shaka’s name became known throughout the region, not for wealth or magic, but for the beauty of his handmade carpets.
Even after he passed away, people remembered the humble weaver who chose honest labor over power and magic. His story lived on—woven into every thread of his legacy.