Long ago, lived a reputed merchant Pawan in a village. He was blessed with a son after many years of his marriage. He named him Chandra. Since Chandra was the only child in the family, he was pampered by everyone in the house. His every wish was fulfilled by his parents and family members.
Time flew by. Chandra became a young man who never lacked anything in life. His outlook towards life became very different. Contrary to this, his father, Pawan had established his business with hard work. It was evident to Pawan from Chandra's behavior that he didn't know the importance of the fruits of hard work.
Even though Pawan asked his son to join his business and work with him, he would never go to work. After deep contemplation, he decided that he himself would teach Chandra the importance of hard work. Even if he must be tough for that.
One day he called his son and all family members in the center hall of his home. Then he told Chandra in a stern voice, "You have not contributed to my business at all. From now on, you will be given food in this house only when you give money for the food."
After this, he told all other family members, "No one will help Chandra nor would he be given any food without money."
Family members didn't like Pawan's decision. He himself felt bad for being so strict with his only son but he was determined for sake of his son's future.
On day 1, Chandra went to one of his family members and took money from them, and gave that to his father to get food.
Pawan had a well in his house. When Chandra told him that he had brought money for food, he asked him to throw that money in well. Chandra found it strange but still, as asked, he went and threw that in well without hesitation and happily ate his food.
A few days went by. Pawan understood that his family helped him. So, he asked his family members strictly to not provide Chandra with money or food even if he asked. They understood and promised not to help Chandra.
Now Chandra went to all family members one by one, but everyone refused to give him any money. Pawan had good repute in the village, and everyone knew about his son Chandra. So, Chandra went to one of his father's friends and asked for money. He gave him the money.
Chandra gave that to his father and as always was asked to throw that in well. He again threw money in well without hesitating.
When father got to know that, he asked all his friends to not give any money to his son for free. If they want to help him then they can ask him to work and in return give him money.
The next day, no one gave money to Chandra. Half-day passed. Chandra was going from place to place to ask for money. One old man in the village saw this. He asked Chandra, "What happened?" Chandra told him, "I need some money."
The old man replied, "I can give you money but for that, you have to work."
Seeing no other option, Chandra agreed. He worked hard till dawn. When work was completed, old man gave him money.
That day he reached to his father in evening tired from all day long work. He gave money to his father and asked for food. As always, he ordered him to throw that in well, but this time Chandra couldn't accept that and replied, "Father, I earned this money by doing such hard work, and just in a moment you asked me to throw it in well." Crying he said to his father, "I cannot throw this money in well."
Hearing this, Pawan understood that today his son has understood the importance of hard work. He embraced him and handed over his business to him.
Flash: We all have the capability to become Great. But sometimes we get so obsessed in our comfort zones that we forget that we can fly very high only when we take on challenging responsibilities. The one accepting challenges, taking responsibilities proactively, and being honest to work, is the person to reach the heights and become successful in the career.
Moral: If we don't understand and experience the difficulty it takes to earn the comfort provided by our loved ones, then we will never value it. The most important thing is to experience the difficulty and learn to value hard work behind all the given comfort.
Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work!!