In a peaceful village lived a hardworking farmer named Arjun. He had a small patch of land and a few cows. Arjun was known for his kind heart. One year, a severe drought hit the village, and many families struggled to find food.
His friend, Vikram, came to him with an idea. "Arjun, we should give away all our grain to the hungry people. That is the only way to be truly good!" Vikram urged.
Arjun felt a pang of sympathy, but he also thought about the future. He knew he needed seeds for the next planting season and enough food to sustain his family. Instead of giving everything away, Arjun carefully calculated how much he could spare without putting his own survival at risk. He gave a generous portion to the villagers, but kept enough to ensure his farm could grow again.
An elder in the village noticed this and asked, "Arjun, why didn't you give everything? Are you not being selfless?"
Arjun replied softly, "If I give everything today, I will have nothing left to help anyone tomorrow. If I protect my resources now, I can continue to be a source of help for many years to come."
The elder nodded approvingly. "You are wise, Arjun. True charity is knowing your limits and giving in a way that preserves your ability to give again."
When the rains finally returned, Arjun’s farm flourished because he had saved his seeds. Because he was wise, he was able to help the village even more in the following years.
