Vishnu Sharma
|
India

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.
Value
Kindness
Contentment
Featured in Fable Book
Panchatantra Fables - The Unlucky Weaver
Audio available for B1 version

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.

Once upon a time, there was a weaver named Somilaka who lived in a town far away. He was very skilled and made beautiful clothes that even kings and princes wore. However, he wasn’t earning enough money to live comfortably. Somilaka wondered why other weavers, who didn’t make clothes as nice as his, were rich while he wasn’t.

One day, Somilaka said to his wife, “I am going to find a new place where people will pay me well for my work.” His wife was worried because she didn’t know if moving would help, but Somilaka had already decided. He left his town to find better luck elsewhere.

In a new city, people loved his clothes, and Somilaka started to make a lot of money. After three years, he saved three hundred gold coins. Feeling happy, he decided to return home to his wife.

On his way home through a forest, he suddenly heard two strange voices talking about him. When he looked inside his bag, all his money was gone! Feeling sad, Somilaka returned to the city and worked even harder.

After a year of hard work, Somilaka saved five hundred gold coins. Once again, he began his journey back home. But just like before, the same thing happened—he heard voices in the forest, and his money disappeared again! He felt very upset and didn’t know what to do.

Then, one of the voices introduced itself as Destiny. Destiny told Somilaka that he didn’t need more money than what was necessary for his life. Destiny appreciated Somilaka’s hard work and offered him a wish. Somilaka asked for lots of gold coins, but Destiny said having too much money wouldn’t bring him happiness.

Still, Somilaka insisted, so Destiny gave him a task. Somilaka had to visit two merchants and observe their behavior before making his final wish.

The first merchant was very rich but didn’t treat Somilaka kindly. He gave Somilaka a dirty bed and was rude to him. The second merchant wasn’t as wealthy but treated Somilaka with kindness, offering him clean clothes, good food, and a comfortable bed.

Each night, Somilaka heard Destiny and the other voice talking about how the merchants behaved. He also noticed that the kinder merchant, even though less wealthy, was happier and treated people better.

When Destiny asked Somilaka again what he wanted, Somilaka said, “I want enough money to live well and share with others, like the kind merchant.”

Destiny granted Somilaka’s wish. Somilaka returned home with enough money to keep him and his wife happy. From then on, they lived peacefully, understanding that true happiness comes from kindness and being content with what you have.

Once upon a time, there was a weaver named Somilaka who lived in a town far away. He was very skilled and made beautiful clothes that even kings and princes wore. However, he wasn’t earning enough money to live comfortably. Somilaka wondered why other weavers, who didn’t make clothes as nice as his, were rich while he wasn’t.

One day, Somilaka said to his wife, “I am going to find a new place where people will pay me well for my work.” His wife was worried because she didn’t know if moving would help, but Somilaka had already decided. He left his town to find better luck elsewhere.

In a new city, people loved his clothes, and Somilaka started to make a lot of money. After three years, he saved three hundred gold coins. Feeling happy, he decided to return home to his wife.

On his way home through a forest, he suddenly heard two strange voices talking about him. When he looked inside his bag, all his money was gone! Feeling sad, Somilaka returned to the city and worked even harder.

After a year of hard work, Somilaka saved five hundred gold coins. Once again, he began his journey back home. But just like before, the same thing happened—he heard voices in the forest, and his money disappeared again! He felt very upset and didn’t know what to do.

Then, one of the voices introduced itself as Destiny. Destiny told Somilaka that he didn’t need more money than what was necessary for his life. Destiny appreciated Somilaka’s hard work and offered him a wish. Somilaka asked for lots of gold coins, but Destiny said having too much money wouldn’t bring him happiness.

Still, Somilaka insisted, so Destiny gave him a task. Somilaka had to visit two merchants and observe their behavior before making his final wish.

The first merchant was very rich but didn’t treat Somilaka kindly. He gave Somilaka a dirty bed and was rude to him. The second merchant wasn’t as wealthy but treated Somilaka with kindness, offering him clean clothes, good food, and a comfortable bed.

Each night, Somilaka heard Destiny and the other voice talking about how the merchants behaved. He also noticed that the kinder merchant, even though less wealthy, was happier and treated people better.

When Destiny asked Somilaka again what he wanted, Somilaka said, “I want enough money to live well and share with others, like the kind merchant.”

Destiny granted Somilaka’s wish. Somilaka returned home with enough money to keep him and his wife happy. From then on, they lived peacefully, understanding that true happiness comes from kindness and being content with what you have.

In a faraway town that was so far it could've been on another planet, there lived a weaver named Somilaka. Now, this guy was like the superhero of making clothes. Even kings and princes wore his outfits, but guess what? He was still broke!

Scratching his head, Somilaka said to his wife, "Why are we still poor? I get lots of 'Wows' and 'Yays,' but you can't buy ice cream with those!"

His wife said, "Well, maybe moving isn't the answer. You know, you can't fix a broken toy with just a smile."

But Somilaka was the kinda guy who loved adventure. So, he packed his bags and was outta there faster than you can say, "See ya!"

Now in a cool new city, where people really liked awesome clothes, Somilaka became super popular. Three years later, he had a lot of gold coins. Not like a pirate treasure, but still, a whole lot.

Feeling really happy, he thought, "Time to go back home and get that big ice cream cone I've always wanted!"

But hold on! In the jungle, where even the birds didn't have GPS, he heard voices talking about him. He checked his bag and whoa! His gold was all gone, like candy at a birthday party.

"No way!" He couldn't believe it and ran back to the city to make even more money.

A year later, he had even more gold. But guess what happened? Yup, those mysterious voices in the jungle showed up again and "Zap!" his money was gone. Again!

Now, Somilaka was really puzzled. "Okay, who are you guys? Magical fairies or something?"

One voice finally said, "Nope, I'm Destiny. And we took your gold to teach you a lesson. But you're a hard worker, so guess what? You get one wish!"

"I want gold, tons of gold!"

Destiny said, "You know, gold isn't everything. But okay, I have a fun quest for you. Go visit two shopkeepers and see how they act."

At the first shopkeeper's house, Somilaka felt really unwelcome. The guy was rich but gave him a bed that was as comfy as a pile of rocks. "Sleep well, if you can!"

But the second shopkeeper, who wasn't rich but was super nice, made Somilaka feel like a king. "Here's a cozy bed just for you!"

Each night, Destiny and his invisible friend talked about the shopkeepers like they were in a cartoon. Even the king liked the second, nice shopkeeper better.

So, when Destiny asked again, "What's your final wish?"

Somilaka smiled, "I wish for enough gold to be happy and share with others, like that nice shopkeeper."

"Your wish is my command!" Destiny said.

And so, Somilaka went back home, not super rich, but happy-rich. From then on, he and his wife lived like they found the secret to being happy: being kind and being happy with what you've got.

Once there was a weaver, known as Somilaka,
Who sewed fine clothes, but had no luck, ah!
Kings and queens wore clothes he'd sew,
But wealth never came, and this caused him woe.

"Why am I not rich?" he wondered one day,
Seeing other weavers happy and gay.
So to his wife, he firmly did say,
"I'll find a new town, and go my own way."

Worried, she nodded; then he left their home,
To a different city, where his fame had grown.
Three years passed; he saved up gold,
Three hundred coins, or so we're told.

But on his way home, through the jungle thick,
His gold vanished! It happened so quick!
He worked more, another year flew by,
Five hundred coins, but again, oh my!

Once more in the jungle, his gold went "poof!",
Leaving him sad, and needing some proof.
But Destiny appeared, smiling so wide,
"You worked so hard, now choose," she confided.

"Watch two merchants," Destiny said with a smile,
"See how they act, then tell me in a while."
The first was rich but mean, made Somilaka's night hard,
The second was kind, played a much friendlier card.

The king gave the kind man a reward, oh so grand,
And then Somilaka started to understand.
When Destiny asked, "What would make your heart sing?"
He said, "Enough to share and enjoy, like the coming of spring."

Back home he went, with just the right gold,
To his loving wife, where happiness would unfold.
They found that joy didn't come from money alone,
But in kindness, love, and the warmth of home.

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Word Finder

  1. Weaver

    A person who makes clothes by weaving thread.

  2. Skilled

    Very good at doing something special or difficult.

  3. Comfortably

    Living without problems like hunger or worries.

  4. Destiny

    A power that decides what will happen in life.

  5. Coins

    Round pieces of metal used as money.

  6. Merchant

    A person who buys and sells goods for money.

  7. Observe

    To watch something carefully to learn about it.

  8. Behavior

    The way someone acts or treats others around them.

  9. Happiness

    Feeling good, joyful, or pleased about life.

  10. Content

    Feeling satisfied and happy with what you have.

Understanding Questions

  1. What did Somilaka decide to do when he realized he wasn't making enough money in his town?
  2. How much money did Somilaka save after his first three years in the new city?
  3. What happened to Somilaka's money when he was returning home through the forest?
  4. Who did Somilaka meet in the forest, and what did they tell him about having too much money?
  5. What did Somilaka learn from observing the two merchants' behavior?
Word Finder
  1. Weaver

    A person who makes clothes by weaving thread.

  2. Skilled

    Very good at doing something special or difficult.

  3. Comfortably

    Living without problems like hunger or worries.

  4. Destiny

    A power that decides what will happen in life.

  5. Coins

    Round pieces of metal used as money.

  6. Merchant

    A person who buys and sells goods for money.

  7. Observe

    To watch something carefully to learn about it.

  8. Behavior

    The way someone acts or treats others around them.

  9. Happiness

    Feeling good, joyful, or pleased about life.

  10. Content

    Feeling satisfied and happy with what you have.

Understanding Questions
  1. What did Somilaka decide to do when he realized he wasn't making enough money in his town?

    1. Stay in his town
    2. Move to a new city
    3. Start a new job
    4. Ask for a raise
  2. How much money did Somilaka save after his first three years in the new city?

    1. None
    2. 100 dollars
    3. 500 dollars
    4. 1000 dollars
  3. What happened to Somilaka's money when he was returning home through the forest?

    1. He lost it
    2. He spent it
    3. He gave it away
    4. He found more
  4. Who did Somilaka meet in the forest, and what did they tell him about having too much money?

    1. A group of travelers
    2. A wise old man
    3. Two merchants
    4. A thief
  5. What did Somilaka learn from observing the two merchants' behavior?

    1. How to be greedy
    2. The value of friendship
    3. The importance of saving
    4. How to negotiate
  1. What did Somilaka decide to do when he realized he wasn't making enough money in his town?
  2. How much money did Somilaka save after his first three years in the new city?
  3. What happened to Somilaka's money when he was returning home through the forest?
  4. Who did Somilaka meet in the forest, and what did they tell him about having too much money?
  5. What did Somilaka learn from observing the two merchants' behavior?
  1. What did Somilaka decide to do when he realized he wasn't making enough money in his town?
  2. How much money did Somilaka save after his first three years in the new city?
  3. What happened to Somilaka's money when he was returning home through the forest?
  4. Who did Somilaka meet in the forest, and what did they tell him about having too much money?
  5. What did Somilaka learn from observing the two merchants' behavior?
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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