By What would you do if everything you touched turned to gold? Before you answer, read this ancient tale adapted to Indian culture about Raja Mohan, a wealthy merchant who got exactly what he wished for—and learned the hardest lesson of his life.
In the prosperous kingdom of Amaravati, nestled between the Himalayas and the sacred Ganges River, lived a wealthy merchant named Raja Mohan. His warehouse overflowed with silks, spices, and jewels. Yet despite having a loving wife Lakshmi, and a beautiful daughter, Priya, his heart craved more gold.
One afternoon, an old sadhu appeared at his gate. Lakshmi welcomed the holy man with water and fruits, honouring the Indian tradition of treating guests with respect. The sadhu blessed her kindness.
“You have great wealth, merchant,” said the sadhu to Raja Mohan, “but your heart is not at peace.”
“If only I had more gold!” Raja Mohan replied. “Then I would be content.”
The sadhu’s eyes grew sad. “Be careful what you wish for. But since your wife showed kindness, I will grant you one wish.”
Without hesitation, Raja Mohan blurted out: “I wish everything I touch turns to gold!”
The sadhu touched his forehead. “So be it. May this teach you what you need to learn.” Then he vanished like morning mist.
Raja Mohan laughed with joy! He touched a mango—solid gold! A rose—golden petals! Chairs, tables, pillars—all transformed into gleaming gold!
“I’m the richest man in the world!” he shouted.
But when lunch arrived, disaster struck. The chapati turned to hard metal. The dal solidified before reaching his mouth. Water became gold in his glass. He couldn’t eat! He couldn’t drink!
“What have I done?” he whispered, panic rising.
As sunset approached, eight-year-old Priya ran to her father. “Papa! Look at the rangoli I made for you!” Before he could stop her, she threw her arms around him.
In an instant, his beloved daughter became a golden statue.
“PRIYA! NO!” Raja Mohan screamed, falling to his knees. Tears streamed down his face. His wife, Lakshmi, collapsed in grief, but he dared not touch her.
“What good is all the gold in the world if I cannot hug my daughter? If I’ve lost everything that truly matters?”
All night, Raja Mohan wept. At dawn, the sadhu reappeared.
“Have you learned your lesson, merchant?”
“Yes! Gold means nothing! I was already blessed with family, health, and prosperity. My greed blinded me!” Raja Mohan prostrated himself. “Please, take back this curse! I’d give every coin to hold my daughter again!”
The sadhu nodded. “Go to the sacred Ganges. Bathe in its waters, and your curse will wash away. Then sprinkle the water on all you’ve turned to gold.”
Raja Mohan ran to the river, plunged in, and filled pots with holy water. Racing home, he sprinkled water on Priya’s golden form.
Colour returned to her cheeks! She blinked and smiled. “Papa! Why are you crying?”
He swept her into his arms. “These are tears of joy. You are worth more than all the gold in the universe!”
He restored everything but kept one golden mango as a reminder. From that day, Raja Mohan used his wealth to build schools, hospitals, and feed the hungry.
Every evening, he sat with Priya and Lakshmi, sharing simple meals of dal and rice. He realised these moments—touching his daughter’s hand, tasting food, feeling his wife’s warmth—were life’s real treasures.
When greed stirred in his heart, he’d look at the golden mango and remember his frozen daughter, whispering gratitude for the life given back to him.
MORAL
“True wealth lies not in gold or possessions, but in love, health, and the simple joys we often take for granted. Greed blinds us to the blessings we already have.”
GLOSSARY
- Sadhu — A Hindu holy person or monk who has renounced worldly possessions to pursue spiritual enlightenment
- Haveli — A traditional Indian mansion or manor house, typically built around a courtyard
- Ganges — The most sacred river in Hinduism, believed to have purifying powers
- Thali — A traditional Indian meal served on a round platter with various dishes
- Rangoli — Colorful patterns created on the floor using colored powder, rice, or flower petals
- Saffron — A bright orange-yellow color; also refers to the robes worn by Hindu holy people
- Prostrating — Lying face down on the ground as a sign of extreme respect or submission
- Blurted — Said something suddenly without thinking
- Parched — Extremely dry and thirsty
- Irreplaceable — So valuable or special that it cannot be replaced
- Craved — Wanted something intensely
- Vanished — Disappeared suddenly
- Solidified — Became hard or solid
- Plunged — Dove or jumped into something quickly
- Renounced — Gave up or rejected something, often for moral or spiritual reasons
VOCABULARY LIST
- Prosperous — Successful, wealthy, thriving
- Nestled — Situated, positioned comfortably
- Magnificent — Extremely beautiful or impressive
- Weathered — Worn or aged by exposure to the elements
- Emerged — Came out, appeared
- Hesitation — Pause or delay before doing something
- Gleaming — Shining brightly
- Rumble — Make a low, continuous sound (like a hungry stomach)
- Fragrant — Having a pleasant smell
- Necessities — Things that are essential or required
- Beloved — Dearly loved
- Collapsed — Fell down suddenly
- Prostrating — Bowing down completely in respect
- Trembling — Shaking from emotion or fear
- Innocent — Without knowledge of wrongdoing; pure
- Gratitude — Thankfulness
- Stirring — Beginning to move or develop
- Scorching — Extremely hot
- Precious — Very valuable or important
- Transformed — Changed completely
KEY PHRASES
- “running his fingers through piles of gold coins” — physically handling money with satisfaction; showing obsession with wealth
- “vanished like morning mist under the sun” — disappeared completely and quickly, as mist evaporates
- “prostrating himself before” — showing extreme respect or desperation by bowing down completely
- “worth more than all the gold in the world” — priceless; having value that cannot be measured in money
- “blinded by greed” — unable to see clearly or think wisely because of excessive desire for wealth
USAGE EXAMPLES
- The prosperous businessman donated millions to charity every year.
- She emerged from the building with a smile on her face after the successful interview.
- Without hesitation, the firefighter rushed into the burning building to save the child.
- The antique vase was irreplaceable because it had been in the family for generations.
- He felt deep gratitude toward his parents for all their sacrifices.
