Mindful Stories By Vandana (6)

Thank you so much for reading my stories,I am overwhelmed with the response I am getting. I am indeed grateful and will continue this endeavour with your love and affection that you have showered onto me– Ms Vandana Harit ( Lecturer English,Resource Person- (SCERT )Teacher Development Coordinator, Innovative Content Developer -Directorate of Education,Govt Of Delhi.

Here’s STORY -6

The Sculptor’s Purpose”

In a quaint village nestled at the foot of towering mountains lived a skilled sculptor named **Arun**. His workshop was small and modest, filled with half-finished sculptures, chiseled stone, and the scent of fresh wood shavings. Arun wasn’t wealthy, but his heart brimmed with purpose. Every day, he dedicated himself to his craft, driven by a deep desire to create art that touched people’s souls.

One day, the king visited the village. Impressed by Arun’s talent, the king offered him a proposition: “Come to the royal palace, Arun. I will provide you with all the wealth you desire—gold, jewels, anything your heart wishes. In return, you will sculpt only for me.”

The offer stunned Arun. He had lived simply, always focusing on his work rather than accumulating riches. But the thought of endless wealth tempted him. With this gold, he could buy anything—fine clothes, luxurious food, and perhaps even a grand house.

For several nights, Arun wrestled with the decision. He could see the allure of wealth, the comfort it promised. Yet, when he imagined himself in the grand palace, sculpting only to please the whims of the king, something inside him resisted. His art had always been about more than just creating beautiful objects; it was about telling stories, capturing emotion, and inspiring people to see beauty in the world. Would he trade that for gold?

Finally, Arun made his decision. He declined the king’s offer, choosing instead to stay in his humble workshop. “Your offer is generous,” Arun explained to the king, “but my purpose is not to create for possessions. It is to create for the people. My work is meant to bring joy, inspire hope, and stir thought. That is my true wealth.”

Years passed, and though Arun never became rich, his art began to spread far and wide. People from distant lands came to see his sculptures, not because they were extravagant or adorned with jewels, but because they carried depth and meaning. His creations became a symbol of purpose over possessions, of a man who chose to enrich the world, not with gold, but with the fulfillment of his true calling.

One day, an old man visited Arun’s workshop and said, “You could have been rich beyond measure. Do you ever regret your decision?”

Arun smiled warmly and replied, **“The richest man is not the one with the most possessions, but the one who lives his purpose every day. My art fills my heart in ways gold never could.”**

**Moral:**

True fulfillment comes not from what we possess, but from living with purpose. When we align our actions with our deeper calling, we find richness far greater than any material wealth—