Farmer and the Devil: A Moral Story on Greed
A moral story about greed and desire, showing how having more can lead to loss, with life lessons on contentment and balance.
When Happiness Annoys the Devil
Once upon a time, an old devil noticed that humans were living happily.
He said:
“If people continue to live peacefully like this, devils will have no purpose. We must disturb them.”
So he sent a little devil to corrupt a farmer.
The farmer worked extremely hard every day, yet earned very little.
Despite that, he remained cheerful and content with his life.
The little devil wondered how to turn such a man into someone corrupt.
The First Attempt: Hardship
The devil hardened the farmer’s land, making it extremely difficult to cultivate.
The farmer struggled and worked very hard breaking the soil.
But he simply rested for a while and continued working without complaining.
The devil’s plan failed.
The Second Attempt: Taking Away What He Had
The second devil decided on a different plan.
“If hardship does not change him, I will take away what he already has.”
The devil stole the farmer’s lunch bread and water.
The farmer was exhausted and hungry after work.
When he discovered the food was gone, he said:
“Perhaps someone poorer than me needed the bread and water more.”
“If it helped them survive, then that is good.”
The devil failed again.
The Third Attempt: Giving Him Too Much
A third devil stepped forward confidently.
“I know how to corrupt him.”
He befriended the farmer.
Using his ability to foresee the future, the devil warned the farmer that the following year would bring drought.
He advised the farmer to plant crops in wet land.
The farmer followed his advice.
The next year, everyone else lost their harvest due to drought.
Only the farmer had an abundant harvest.
He became wealthy.
For the next few years, the devil kept advising him on crops and weather.
Soon the farmer became extremely rich.
The devil also taught him to brew wine from rice and sell it for profit.
Eventually the farmer stopped working and relied entirely on business for wealth.
The Change in the Farmer
One day, the old devil came to see the results.
The little devil said:
“Look closely. The farmer now has the blood of a pig.”
The farmer hosted a luxurious banquet for rich guests.
They drank expensive wine and ate lavish meals.
Servants served them while they wasted food and drank excessively.
Soon they became drunk, greedy, and foolish like pigs.
Then the devil said:
“You will also see the blood of a wolf.”
At that moment, a servant accidentally dropped a bottle of wine.
The farmer shouted angrily:
“How can you be so careless!”
The servant replied:
“Master, we haven’t eaten anything all day. We are too hungry and weak.”
The farmer coldly answered:
“You cannot eat until the work is finished.”
The Devil’s Secret
The old devil asked:
“How did you manage to change him?”
The little devil smiled and said:
“I simply gave him more than he truly needed.”
“And that awakened the greed hidden inside human nature.”
Moral of the Story
When people struggle for survival, they work hard and appreciate life.
But when they have more than they need, greed and desire often begin to grow.
Too much comfort can weaken character, while hardship can strengthen it.
Why This Story Still Matters Today
In modern society, wealth and comfort are often seen as signs of success.
Yet history repeatedly shows that excessive comfort can lead to greed, corruption, and moral decline.
This story reminds us that true happiness comes not from having more, but from learning when enough is truly enough.
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