Deep within a lush forest stood an ancient, stone mansion. For many years, a gentle giant named Grog lived there. One summer, Grog had to travel far away to visit distant lands, leaving his home empty.
While Grog was away, the clearing around the mansion became a magical playground for the village children. They visited every single day, playing hide-and-seek among the flowering bushes and racing through the tall grass. The children's laughter seemed to nourish the earth; the flowers bloomed brighter, and the trees grew greener whenever the children played nearby.
When Grog finally returned from his long journey, he was startled to find a group of children running through his front yard. Feeling protective and grumpy, he shouted, 'This is my private home! Go away! No more playing here!'
To make sure no one would return, Grog gathered massive, heavy boulders and piled them high around the entrance of the garden. He even dragged thorny brambles across the paths. Terrified by the giant's roar, the children fled back to their village, crying.
As weeks passed, the mansion felt cold and lonely. But more than that, the garden began to die. Without the children's energy and care, the vibrant flowers wilted, the leaves turned brown, and the once-colorful garden became a gray, dusty wasteland. Grog looked out from his window and felt a heavy sadness in his heart.
'What have I done?' Grog whispered to himself. 'I thought I was protecting my home, but I have only destroyed its beauty. Without the children, this place is just a pile of cold stones.'
Realizing his mistake, Grog spent days working hard. He used his immense strength to roll the heavy boulders away and cleared the thorny vines from the paths. He even planted new seeds to help the garden recover.
Soon, the children noticed that the path was clear again. Slowly, they gathered their courage and returned. As soon as the first child's laughter echoed through the trees, the garden seemed to wake up. Flowers began to pop up, and the greenery returned. Grog watched from a distance, smiling. He realized that a home is not just a place to stay, but a place to share joy.
Moral
Selfishness can turn a beautiful paradise into a lonely wasteland.
