The Dog, the Treasure and the Vulture
Once upon a time, at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed, there lived a loyal and curious dog. One day this lovely dog went out for a walk under the shady trees, sniffing the earth. While he was scratching the soft soil, a mysterious, brightly shining smell reached his nose. He began to dig the ground with blows of his paws and found a great treasure of gold hidden deep below. The jewels inside the chest sparkled with a dazzling light under the sun. While the dog was staring at the treasure in astonishment, a cunning vulture gliding high above swooped down. The vulture perched on the dry branch of an old tree and began to study the dog with sharp eyes.
The vulture croaked, "What use will these glittering stones be to you?" The dog raised his head proudly and answered, "I am now a rich and powerful animal." With a mocking smile the vulture said, "For the sake of this yellow metal people destroy one another." "You are a dog, and this treasure will give you neither food nor peace." The dog paid no heed to the vulture's words and decided to stand guard over the treasure. As the hours passed and the sun set, the dog's stomach began to rumble and his strength to fade. He could neither eat a bite of the treasure nor leave the place to hunt.
Round about, the footsteps of hungry wolves and dangerous hunters began to be heard. Understanding that danger was drawing near, the dog realized with pain that the gold could not protect him. The fear he felt while waiting over the treasure had entirely destroyed the joy of being rich. In the end the dog came to his senses, left the gold there and ran off into the deep forest. When he found a dry bone and filled his belly, he understood the true worth of freedom and health. The vulture up above looked after the dog and smiled in silence. Needless riches that we do not need bring us only burden and fear instead of happiness. A little food, a mind free of care.