The Quest For Happiness

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Max was a young prince, born into wealth and privileges, and was blessed with good looks. Even though he was adorned with all these, Max feels empty and incomplete. He wants to be happy yet it is one thing he can't get even with all the wealth.

One day, as he was wandering in the countryside, he saw an old man fishing, and Seeing how the old man was singing while waiting for his trap to catch a fish, he became interested in knowing what gives the old man joy even when he was alone.
Drawing near the man, and sitting beside him he said to the man.

Good day Sir, do you mind if I sit beside you?

Sure!!!, I have been alone before now, it is nice to have someone to talk to.

You were singing with a joyful tone before now, and I am here wondering how you can be happy alone. Again, as I can see, you are yet to catch any fish. So, how come you are happy?

Max asked.

My son, happiness is a choice, and God was so generous to give us the willpower to choose what we want. I live every day doing what makes me happy because that's all I have. I am not sure of tomorrow, so I do what makes me happy now.

However, I can help you find happiness, if only you are ready for it. But be warned, it won't be an easy journey.

The old man replied.

The prince knows he is brave and strong and so, there is nothing for him to fear.

Sir, thank you very much. I am ready to do anything that will bring joy to my troubled heart.

The prince replied quickly.

That's good to hear. There is a treasure hidden in a faraway land. You have to pass through seven villages to get there. Some of the villages are dangerous. They are cannibals. Hope you are up for this.

The prince wasn't scared. He is determined to satisfy his hunger for happiness and so he sets out for the journey the next day.
With the map given to him by the old man, he was able to arrive at the first village before nightfall.
The village looked deserted and people were hiding in their houses. Confused, he tried knocking on the doors but people refused to open the door for him. It was getting late and no one was ready to welcome him into their house despite offering them money.
As he was resting on a tree, he saw a sword placed on his neck, and turning around, he saw four men with swords and armor.

What are you doing outside? Do you want to be killed?

Without any atom of fear, he told them his story. The leader of the group was surprised at his boldness despite having a sword placed on his neck. He was taken to their camp for the night. It was there that he learned how a dragon controlled by a wizard has been terrorizing the village.

You can stay here for the night but once it is morning, you have to return to your village. This place is not safe.

The leader of the group said to Max.

I can help, I can help. I have read books about sorcery.

He replied quickly.

With his help, the wizard was defeated, and the dragon was free from the spell and it returned to the mountains where it lived. The villagers were all happy. They came out to sing praises to Max. For the first time in Max's life, he became happy. He was happy because he made people happy. He wanted to stay in the village longer but he told himself if this feeling of happiness can be this refreshing, the treasure in this land I am going, will bring a job that will have no bounds. In tears, he bade the village farewell and moved to the next village.

Makaza is a village that was befallen by an epidemic. Upon entering the villages, he was seeing multiple graves, and people with swollen bellies and legs. Those who were sick were all quarantined in one part of the village. Prince Max studied medicine from the Palace physician. He recognizes the sickness because he has once traveled to another Village with the Palace physician to cure the disease.
Without wasting time, he went into the forest to gather the right herbs for the cure. And by evening he was successful in gathering the herbs, but he has an issue. How will he get people to drink his medicine?
While he was thinking about the right approach, he heard a voice.

Will it work? I have been watching you from afar.

asked a young boy of 10 years.

Yes, it will. You are not sick and I would….

My father is dying, please come and save him. The little boy replied.

So, his medicine was given to the sick man, and within two days, the man was cured. News spread around the village and people started coming to him for help. They came with a Variety of gifts but he rejected them. He treated them for free and this made the villagers very happy. The village that was once quiet became alive again. People come every morning to where he was staying just to greet him and bring food for him.
The Prince became so happy. He decided not to go further on his quest because he has already found that which he is after.
After a few weeks, he had to leave the village and return home. The first place he visited when he got home was the old man's hut.

You are back so soon, what happened?

I didn't go again, Sir. I discovered that true happiness is found not in wealth and power, but in the joy of helping others and spreading kindness.

The Prince replied.

The old man smiled and bade him farewell. The prince returned in three days bearing gifts for the old man.