The Unlucky Weaver

A weaver named Somilaka seeks better opportunities, becomes wealthy, but unfortunately loses money twice, learning that contentment and kindness are more important.

In a town far, far away, lived a weaver named Somilaka. He was very good at his job and made lovely clothes. Kings and princes wore his clothes, but he wasn't making enough money to live comfortably. He saw other weavers who didn't make clothes as good as his, but they were rich, and this puzzled him.

One day, he told his wife, "I'm going to find a new place where people will appreciate my clothes and pay me well." His wife was worried because she wasn't sure if moving would make things better. But Somilaka made up his mind and left his hometown.

In a different city, Somilaka's beautiful clothes were loved by everyone and he began to make a lot of money. After three years, he saved up three hundred gold coins. Happy and wealthy, he decided to go back home to his wife.

But while traveling through a jungle, he heard two mysterious voices discussing him. When he checked his bag, his gold coins were all gone! He felt so upset that he decided to return to the city and work even harder.

After a year of hard work, he earned five hundred gold coins. Once more, he decided to journey back home. But just like before, in the jungle, he heard the same voices and his money disappeared again. He was so sad that he almost gave up.

But then, one of the voices introduced itself as Destiny. Destiny told him that it had taken his money because he didn't need more than what was necessary for his living. Destiny also appreciated Somilaka's hard work and decided to grant him a wish. Somilaka wished for lots of gold coins, but Destiny told him that having more money than he needed wouldn't bring him joy.

Still, Somilaka insisted on his wish, so Destiny gave him a mission. He had to visit two different merchants and observe how they behaved, and then tell Destiny about it.

In the first merchant's house, Somilaka didn't feel welcome. The merchant was rich but didn't treat him nicely, giving him a dirty bed and being rude. The second merchant, however, wasn't as rich but was very kind. He treated Somilaka well, gave him new clothes, a delicious meal, and a comfortable bed.

Each night at both merchants' homes, he heard Destiny and the other voice talking about the merchants' behavior. He also saw the king rewarding the kinder, less wealthy merchant.

So, when Destiny asked him again what he wanted, Somilaka said, "I wish to have enough money that I can enjoy and share generously, like the kind second merchant."

His wish was granted by Destiny. Somilaka returned home to his wife with enough money to keep them both content. From then on, they lived happily, being satisfied with their earnings and knowing that happiness comes from being kind and enjoying what you have, not from wealth.

A weaver named Somilaka examining his loom, weighing a leap into a new opportunity
Text Version

Audio available for B1 version

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Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think Somilaka wasn't satisfied even though he was a talented weaver making beautiful clothes?
  2. How did the two different merchants treat Somilaka and what can we learn from their behavior?
  3. Can you remember a time when you were happy with what you had, even if it wasn't a lot?
  4. What do you think the story is trying to tell us about the value of money compared to the value of kindness?
  5. How can we use the lesson from Somilaka's story in our own lives to find happiness and contentment?
Fable Quotes

True value lies not in riches alone, but in the worth we bring to others' lives.

In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind and watch the magic unfold.

Contentment is the art of finding joy in what you have, rather than seeking it in what you lack.

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