Long ago, there was a young man from a very poor family who spent his days gathering firewood to earn money for food and schooling. He was intelligent, hardworking, and deeply passionate about learning. That year, the king announced a royal examination to select the brightest minds in the kingdom. The young scholar studied day and night, often forgetting to eat, completely absorbed in his books. Sometimes, when mealtime came, he would wait until his neighbors finished eating and then borrow their cooking pot to cook his food, always returning it spotless after use.
When the day of the examination arrived, the young man went confidently to the testing hall. When the results were posted, his name appeared at the very top, earning him the title of top scholar, the highest honor for scholars. The king held a grand banquet to celebrate the new scholars and personally called the young man to his presence. The king said, “You have achieved great honor for yourself and the kingdom. Before you begin your duties, you may return home to thank your ancestors and visit your village. I also wish to reward you with some treasures. You may choose what you desire.” To the astonishment of the king and the officials, the young scholar humbly requested only a small cooking pot. The next day, he set out for his village carrying the tiny golden pot the king had gifted him.
News of the poor student’s remarkable success spread quickly, filling the village with pride and excitement. Villagers decorated the streets with flags and flowers, beating drums to welcome their honored scholar home. Upon reaching the village, the scholar descended from his palanquin, greeted the villagers warmly, and then carried the golden pot straight to the neighbor whose pot he had borrowed so many times. He said, “Sir, I give you this golden pot from the king to thank you. Without your kindness in lending me your pot, I would not have achieved this honor.”
The neighbor and his wife were both surprised and touched, thinking, “It was only a borrowed pot. Why such a generous gift?” Even the villagers whispered among themselves, puzzled by the scholar’s gesture. Smiling knowingly, the scholar calmly explained, “During my studies, I was so poor that I could not afford rice. For months, I relied on your pot to cook the leftover rice. Now that I have succeeded, this small gift is but a token of my gratitude for your help.” The neighbor and the villagers were deeply moved. They admired the scholar not only for his intelligence and dedication to learning but also for his remarkable gratitude and humility.
This story remains a timeless lesson in the value of hard work, persistence, and remembering those who help us along the way.