The Prosperous Master
Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a kind and generous master. He was wealthy, owning vast lands and numerous possessions. Full of love and compassion towards his servants, he treated everyone with kindness.
The Twelve Servants
This master had twelve loyal servants, each hardworking and dedicated to their duties. Together, they lived in a grand mansion, working side by side to maintain the estate’s beauty and grandeur.
The Master’s Decision
One day, the master gathered his servants and announced he’d be traveling to a distant land for several years. Wanting to ensure his servants were well taken care of during his absence, he decided to leave them each a portion of his wealth.
The Servants’ Reaction
Over the moon with their newfound fortune, the twelve servants couldn’t believe their luck. Dreams of lazy days and endless fun filled their heads. “No more early mornings or long days in the fields,” they chuckled among themselves, envisioning a future without a speck of hard work.
The Lazy Servants’ Plans
Quick as a wink, they got rid of everything their master had left for them. Gold coins clinked as they exchanged hands, and soon, lavish feasts became the norm. Mornings were for sleeping in, afternoons for merrymaking, and nights for grand parties under the stars. “Why toil when you can enjoy life?” became their new motto.
The Consequences of Laziness
But as weeks turned into months, signs of neglect started to show. Gardens once vibrant with flowers turned into wild thickets. Rooms that gleamed with care gathered dust. Walls that stood strong began to crumble. The estate, a symbol of prosperity and hard work, was now a shadow of its former self, all because of the servants’ neglect.
The Master’s Return
After years had flown by, the master returned, his heart filled with eagerness to see how his servants had fared. Imagine his shock to find his beloved estate overgrown with weeds, buildings in disrepair, and not a single soul working. The sight that met his eyes was far from the prosperous land he had left behind.
He called for his servants, expecting to see them bustling about their duties. Instead, they sauntered in, their attitudes as unkempt as the estate. They had grown used to a life of leisure, believing their master would never return to hold them accountable.
The Master’s Disappointment
Heart heavy with disappointment, the master listened as the servants boasted about the feasts and festivities they’d indulged in. Not a word about the estate, its lands, or the welfare of those who lived there. “How could you squander your resources and neglect your responsibilities?” he asked, voice echoing with a mix of sadness and disbelief.
Their excuses were as thin as the air, filled with empty promises of change that came too late. The master realized that his generosity had been taken for granted, his trust broken like the neglected fences around his once-thriving estate.
The Master’s Punishment
With a resolve as firm as the ground beneath, the master knew what he had to do. “Each of you will be given one last task,” he declared. “Your performance will determine your fate here.” Hope flickered in the eyes of some, while others shifted uncomfortably, their laziness a heavy chain around their ankles.
For those unwilling to mend their ways, the outcome was inevitable. They were asked to leave, their places filled by those willing to uphold the values the master cherished. A tough decision, but necessary to restore the estate to its former glory.
The Moral of the Story
And thus, the tale of the twelve lazy servants stands as a vivid lesson: hard work and dedication light the path to success, while laziness and neglect pave the road to downfall. For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction, a truth as old as time itself, reminding us to cherish our responsibilities and strive for excellence in all we do.
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