| There was once a man who held a royal contract granting him exclusive fishing rights throughout the kingdom. One day, to his dismay, he spotted another man fishing from a pier. Outraged, he rushed to the palace and lodged a complaint with the king. "This man was mistakenly granted a royal fishing permit," the king admitted. "But a royal decree cannot be revoked. However, to compensate for your loss, I will grant you the rights to an exclusive enterprise of your choosing."
The man paused, thought carefully, and then made a surprising request: "Your Majesty, I would like to acquire the exclusive rights to all the air in the kingdom." The king burst into laughter. "Air? What use is there in owning air?" Please have the contract prepared," the man replied calmly, "and I will deposit the appropriate funds into the royal treasury to secure the rights."
The next day, armed with his new contract, the man visited the blacksmiths and jewelers. He demanded payment for the air they used in their bellows to stoke their fires. Without air, they could neither melt iron nor smelt gold. The following week, he approached sea captains and negotiated fees for the wind that powered their sails. In the third week, he billed homeowners for the fresh breeze they welcomed through their open windows. By the fourth week, he was collecting a fee from every citizen for the air they breathed each moment of their lives. Within days, he became the wealthiest man in the kingdom.
This parable reveals the profound value of resourcefulness. A person of insight and initiative can transform any situation—even one that seems disadvantageous—into an opportunity for success. By contrast, a foolish person fixates on what others have, consumed by envy and despair, never realizing the potential that lies within their reach.
Today: Let us harness our wisdom, creativity, and determination to achieve success—both in our worldly endeavors and in our service of Heaven.
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