In a bright little village lived a boy named Kavin. Kavin had a massive weakness: sweets. Whether it was chocolate, honey cakes, or colorful candies, he couldn't resist them. His mother would often say, 'Kavin, eating too much sugar will make you tired and hurt your teeth. Please be careful.' But Kavin would just smile and reach for another sweet.
Worried about his health, his mother decided to seek help from a wise elder who lived in the nearby hills. They traveled to his peaceful cottage and requested, 'Sir, Kavin won't listen to me. Could you please explain to him why he should eat less sugar?'
The wise man looked at Kavin kindly but said, 'Bring him back to me in exactly one week.'
Kavin's mother was confused, but she waited. A week later, they returned. This time, the wise man sat Kavin down and spoke with great warmth. He explained how too much sweetness could steal a person's energy and make them feel unwell. Kavin listened intently and realized that his habit was indeed making him feel sluggish.
'Sir,' his mother asked, 'Why didn't you tell him this the first time we came? Why did we have to wait a week?'
The wise man smiled gently. 'Mother, I used to have a very strong craving for sweets just like Kavin. When I was struggling with that same habit, I didn't feel I had the right to tell anyone else to stop. I had to first master myself and overcome my own habit. Only once I succeeded did I feel worthy of guiding others.'
Kavin felt inspired by the wise man's honesty. From that day on, he began choosing fruits over candies and grew up healthy and strong.
Moral
To lead others, one must first lead oneself.
