The Well
Centuries ago, an old well is always visited by thousands of people everyday, but not all people cared about the well as long as everybody can get free water from it. The time came when the well dried and all people thirst and many were dehydrated. Many people died as famine also struck the land. Survivors got irate and blamed the well for the loss of water and everything. They threw all their trash inside the well to express their disappointments.
Some people suggested to dig a deeper hole anywhere on the ground to produce a new well instead of arguing. More people did not listen to the suggestion and moved out of the said land.
One night, gusty winds and heavy rains blew and poured over the area where the well sits. It flooded and filled the well with so much water. All the trash inside the well were taken out by the flood. When the whole land dried out, the well is clean and full again.
One day, a first male stranger was walking, passing by the well. He looked back because he is thirsty. He went to the well and asked the well, "Can I get some water from you? I am thirsty."
The well responded with a soft echo, "Yes. You're very polite. You should bring more water with you as you travel!"
The first stranger said, "Thank you" and left.
The following day, another male stranger passed by the well. He looked back and took some water from the well. After tasting the water, the stranger threw the water on the ground because he didn't like the taste. He returned to the well and spit on the clear waters of the well, then he left.
On the third day with a hot and sunny weather, a third male stranger passed by the well. He looked back and saw the well. He found the well inviting. He went down inside the well using one end of the rope tied on one post outside the well and the other end of the rope touching the water surface of the well. He swam and stayed there for several minutes and was refreshed. He went up and got out of the well so quick using the same rope he used.
On the fourth day, a fourth male stranger passed by the well. He looked back and went to the well. He noticed the well so clear and thought of selling the water to people in need. He was asked where he gets the water that he is supplying to many people, but he didn't tell anybody about the well's location.
For many months, the fourth stranger profited from the water he was selling to many people. The source of water is free and instead of offering a lower price for each gallon, he increased the price as the demand for water heightened.
When the first stranger returned to the well one day, the fourth stranger was there. The former asked for some water to drink, but the latter said, "I am the owner of this well. You need to pay me first even if you only ask for a glass of water."
The former said, "I don't have money. Can you not spare me for a glass of water? ... I came here only to get some free water before I go back where I came from."
The latter insisted, "If you don't have anything to pay for the glass of water you're asking then you need to do something for me!"
"What is it?" asked the first stranger.
The fourth stranger replied, "You will be my delivery boy!"
"How long?" asked the first stranger.
"One month will do," said the fourth stranger. "I will give you one glass of water for free for every delivery that you make."
Days passed and after thirty days of work, the first stranger is already paid to the fourth stranger as owner of the well.
The first stranger bade his farewell to the fourth stranger and left. That same day an hour later, the fourth stranger who claimed to be the owner of the well heard a voice from somewhere. He looked behind his shoulder and heard a voice coming from inside the well. And so he peeked at it and saw his reflection on the waters inside the well. He was surprised because the waters of the well is almost leveled at its mouth or opening. The waters of the well started to boil and rapidly shrinking like it's being drained or suctioned from the bottom of the well. After less than ten minutes, the well is now empty. The fourth stranger cried and can hardly believe what he has witnessed. He cannot earn money anymore from the free water he is selling. He left the area where the well dried up. He searched for a new well elsewhere to quench his thirst.
After miles and miles of walking, he found a well and was relieved for seeing a lady standing beside the well. He asked the lady, "Can I ask for a glass of water? I am thirsty. I came from a distant place."
The lady replied, "You need to work for me if you need a glass of water to drink."
The fourth stranger said to the lady, "I have money. I'll pay you more, just give me a glass of water. And if you're selling this well, I want to buy it!"
The lady said, "This well is not for sale. And I don't need your money. I want you to earn the glass of water that you're asking me!"
The fourth stranger realized what he did to almost everybody specially to the first stranger who needed to work for a glass of water the first time they met.
The story ended with a quenching lesson to remember.
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