The Poor Man's Prayer for a Better Life
He pleaded, “Please bless me with wealth so I can live a better life.”
To his surprise, Kannon appeared and said,
“If you want to become wealthy, treasure the first thing you touch when you leave this temple.”
The Beginning of a Miraculous Journey
As he left the temple, the man stumbled and fell. When he stood up, he realized he was holding a small piece of straw. Though disappointed, he remembered Kannon’s advice and decided to keep it.
Not long after, a horsefly began buzzing around. He caught the fly and tied it to the straw with a blade of grass. Now holding a buzzing toy, he continued walking.
A Chain of Kindness and Unexpected Rewards
On his journey, he met a crying child. The buzzing fly caught the child’s attention and made him laugh. The man gave the toy to the child. In return, the grateful mother gave him a juicy orange.
He later encountered a thirsty girl who looked exhausted. He offered her the orange. After feeling refreshed, she gave him a fine roll of silk to thank him.
Further down the road, the man met a merchant struggling with a sick horse. The merchant admired the silk and offered to trade the horse for it. The man agreed, though the horse looked weak. He took care of the animal through the night, and by morning, the horse was healthy again.
From Nothing to Wealth - The Final Gift
As he continued with the strong horse, a wealthy landowner stopped him.
“What a magnificent horse! I need one for my journey. I’ll trade you my large estate for it.”
Amazed, the poor man accepted. From a single piece of straw, he had worked his way — step by step — to becoming a wealthy landowner.
Moral of the Story
The story of The Straw Millionaire teaches us that:
• Small actions can lead to big rewards
• Kindness and gratitude are powerful
• Wealth is not always gained through shortcuts, but through steady and selfless deeds
Conclusion
The Straw Millionaire remains one of Japan’s most inspiring folk tales. It reminds us that success isn’t always about luck — sometimes, it’s about how we treat others and how we handle even the smallest opportunities.