Long ago, there was a wise and compassionate king who cared deeply for the happiness of his people.
One evening, while walking in his garden, a thought struck him, “Do my people truly enjoy the work they do or are they merely burdened by it?”
Curious to find the answer, he called his trusted courtiers and said, “I want you to find someone in my kingdom who understands the true “Secret of work”
King said, “But remember – no one should know that you are on my orders. Disguise yourselves and search quietly.”
Courtiers were puzzled by the unusual task but obeyed. After some discussion, they decided to dress as travelers and set off in a bullock cart to wander through the villages.
Their first stop was at a forest edge, where a woodcutter was busy chopping logs.
One of the courtiers asked, “Brother, do you enjoy your work?”
Woodcutter sighed. “Not at all. My father and his father before him were woodcutters, so I was forced into the same trade. I do it because I have no choice, not because I want to.”
Courtiers thanked him and moved on.
A little further, they met a washerman by the river. He was scrubbing clothes vigorously.
A Courtier politely said, “could you tell us something? Do you like this work you do every day?”
Washerman frowned and snapped, “Of course not! When I was young, I wasted my time, ignored my studies and never listened to my parents. Now, to feed my family, I am stuck with this job. I work because I must, not because I love it.”
Courtiers apologized and left him to his chores.
All day long, they met farmers, merchants and craftsmen, but the answers were the same – complaints, obligations and unhappiness.
Discouraged, they decided to return to the palace.
On their way back, they noticed a faint glow from a small hut. Curious, they peeked inside and saw a man surrounded by children, teaching them by the light of oil lamps.
Courtiers stepped in and asked, “What are you doing here, sir?”
Man smiled warmly. “This is my little school. Poor children come here to learn and I teach them. It is my joy.”
One courtier asked eagerly, “Do you really like this work?”
Man’s face lit up and he replied, “I don’t just like it, I love it. Helping these children learn gives me peace and fulfillment. Each day I spend here feels meaningful.”
Courtiers exchanged glances. At last, they had found the answer!
They invited the teacher to come with them to the King. Next day, in the royal court, they narrated their journey and presented the teacher before the king.
King was overjoyed. He said to the teacher. “You have discovered the true secret of work. Work done with love and interest brings not only success but also happiness.”
In honor of the teacher’s spirit, King rewarded him and later built a grand school so that many more children could learn.
Learning:
True success lies not in the type of work you do but, in the love, and passion you put into it. When work is done with interest, it becomes a source of joy and growth.
You May Also Like: Working Men Reply to Monk’s Question! Difference in Thinking
Search Keywords: Courtiers Search: Secret That Turns Work into Joy, King’s Quest Story, Moral Story about Work, Secret of Work Moral Story, Story about Loving Work, Inspirational Work Story, Short Story with Moral, Story about Purpose of Work, King And Courtier Story, Teacher Moral Story, Best Moral Stories in English, Short Motivational Story about Finding Passion, Work Satisfaction Moral Story, King’s Wisdom Story, Short Story about Life Lesson