The Rich Man's Treasure

Once long ago the son of a rich man was with his father who was dying. The rich man said, "Son, when I breathe my last, my riches will pass to you. You are to protect and make good use of this wealth, lest it be squandered." Shortly thereafter, the rich man went onto the Toroluth.

The son, heeding his father's final will, gathered together all his wealth; he sold his father's home and traded away his possessions for gold. After he had done this, he placed the riches of his father into a chest and locked it. He then placed it into a hole in the ground in his own home and buried it.

After some time, there came a merchant to the mans home, saying "Behold my fine riches and wares. Should you purchase these vestments and jewelries, you would be the envy of all your neighbours!"

But the man turned him away.

Thereafter, a priestess from his local temple came by, crying, "One must pay homage to the Maeljotu and the other gods. Should you make an offering to the Temple, we shall make sacrifice for you to your Gods!"

But verily the man shuttered his door to her.

Finally, an old beggar hobbled gently to the man's door, saying, "Behold, I am weak and have little to eat. Have you some food for me?"

And the man welcomed in the beggar into his home. He dug up his treasure and spared no expense buying ingredients and making the beggar a large and fulfilling meal. He carried on, hiring builders to make an annex to his own home for the drunk to take as residence. He went out and purchased new clothes and shoes for the beggar to wear, so that he may be warm and comfortable.

When he had done this, the beggar said, "O my brother, I have naught but my own worn tunic to give as compensation for your service. Would you but accept it?" And the man gave the drunk the last of his wealth for the tattered tunic.

At once the old beggar stood tall and shone like the summer sun, saying, "You have done well, my son, for in giving of your wealth for others, you have found treasure." And the man hid his face in the Tunic and worshipped, for Elatien was radiant and beautiful.