Jamal is in search of happiness. He wants to know the true meaning. He has been leading an honest life in his simple hut with his wife and his children. But he felt that there is something empty and he needs to seek the answer for it.
There is a wise man in a cave far away. Surely he can give me the answer. Jamal thought to himself. So, with a bit of food and some dry clothes, he set off to search for the answer.
Jamal crossed the river and he scaled the mountain. It was a tough journey. But he persevered.
The destination is in sight and just a few more steps and he will finally be there. He mustered some strength and made his hike up.
Finally, he met the Master. The Master sat him down, offered him some clear water. That felt so good, some fresh mountain water. For a while, that gulp down the throat felt like success and happiness to Jamal. The man is wise indeed, his first lesson was learnt even without the man uttering a word. He felt humbled.
Master, I have come from far to seek for a lesson I must learn. I want to know what will make me happy.
You, like all mortals are preoccupied with success as your measure of happiness. That is relative. Relative to your goal. It will not bring you real happiness
If you win and become a champion in a battle, you felt that you are successful but your followers and enemies may not agree with you. Your success may envy many and you shall become the subject of hate.
You think that having wealth and garbed in silk is happiness. To be surrounded by a harem of concubines is happiness, but you forgot the most important people in your life. The ones who stood by you before you were not wealthy. Your family members that accepted you regardless.
Therefore Jamal, the root to happiness is to be contented. To be grateful. To be humble. To be charitable. To be beside your loved ones.
Master, now I have learned. I was unhappy because I was yearning. I was greedy. The true measure of happiness is to be happy and it is always a state of mind, not a state of affairs.
I know how to be happy. Jamal thought. I will teach my children values. I will be closer to God, I will be humble and work hard to earn an honest living.
From that day, Jamal was a successful man. His measure of happiness is content.
