Treasure Map

Once upon a time there lived a very curious boy called Simon. He was the grandson of Sir Walcott, a great explorer. Sir Walcott had traveled to Americas, Africa, Asia and Antarctica. Treasures he discovered like gold, rubies, emeralds and diamonds made him very rich. The Queen honored his discovery of new worlds and treasures, and knighted him. One day, when he reached home from school, Simon saw a big, white envelope on his bed. Quickly he opened it, only to see an old map. Behind it was written “This map will guide you to the greatest treasures the world has ever known”. Secretly Simon left his home in the deep night, and headed to places the map showed. He found gold chests, Sword of Excalibur, Lost City of Atlantis, magic beans….. The more he discovered new things, the more he became tired of looking for them. He wondered what great treasure the map was talking about. Bored and frustrated, he sat under a tree and started to cry. His tears fell on the map, only for the map to glitter! Then a voice came from the map: “Don’t cry little one….you are nearer to the treasure than you can ever imagine!” Simon wiped his tears, and looked at the map, as though it was a ghost. The map was actually talking! The map told him that he would become much richer than his grandfather, if he discovered the greatest treasure of them all: happiness, which could only be found in the heart. The map told him he had found happiness the journey, enjoying to pass through jungles, deserts, and ice planes. Enjoying to see animals he only saw on TV and magazines. Enjoying to see new kinds of people with different cultures…. Happiness, the map told him, wasn't in the treasures like gold, but in the hearts. Simon thought for a minute, and realized he actually enjoyed the adventures more than finding the treasures. He was very excited he had discovered the greatest treasure; the bliss and thrill of living! The map then turned into a flying carpet, and took him home. THE END Moral of the Story: Happiness is not found in wealth or riches. It’s found in life in the form of family, new friends, new places, new languages, all in all encompassing the thrill of living each day.