bhaskar saikia

Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom, two poor farmers toiled on a wealthy man’s land. Though they had little, they were honest and hardworking, earning the respect of their fellow villagers.

One day, they decided to seek the king’s help for a better life. Moved by their sincerity, the kind-hearted king granted each of them a plot of land and a pair of bulls, urging them to work hard and prosper.

The first farmer wasted no time. He immediately plowed his field and planted crops. His hard work paid off, yielding a bountiful harvest. With the surplus, he bought furniture and fine clothes for his family. Within a year, his life had transformed.

The second farmer, however, chose a different path. Instead of using both bulls to plow, he traded one for a cow. This decision left him with only one bull, making it difficult to cultivate his entire field. As a result, his crop yield was meager, barely enough to sustain his family. Yet, he remained determined, working tirelessly toward his vision.

One day, the first farmer met his old friend and couldn’t help but laugh at his choices.

“My friend,” he said, shaking his head, “why would you trade a bull for a cow? Bulls are a farmer’s greatest asset! Look at me—I have prospered, while you struggle just as before.”

The second farmer smiled and replied, “I appreciate your concern, but I am thinking beyond the next harvest. While you work hard each season, I am laying the foundation for lasting wealth.”

The first farmer scoffed. “Wealth? Are you planning to deceive people? Honest men don’t become rich! And from where I stand, your plan is only making you poorer.”

At that moment, the second farmer understood—they viewed life differently. His friend saw the world as a pond with limited resources, while he saw it as a flowing river of abundance. He recalled the words of a wise village saint: ‘Fight for your dreams, don’t fight to justify them.’ So instead of arguing, he simply said, “Time will tell if my plan is right.”

Seeing no point in convincing a man he deemed foolish, the first farmer wished him well and moved on.

Years passed. The second farmer’s life seemed unchanged, except that his cow had given birth to a calf. Meanwhile, the first farmer grew wealthier and continued telling others about his old friend’s absurd dream of getting rich.

By the fifth year, however, word spread that the second farmer had become the dairy supplier for the king’s palace. Rather than toil in the fields, he had allowed grass to grow, feeding his ever-growing herd.

By the seventh year, he began making cheese, which delighted the royal family. Soon, nobles from beyond the kingdom sought his products. Though he had to turn down some orders due to limited production, his reputation soared.

By the tenth year, he had expanded his business into cheese exports. His sons managed the growing enterprise, hiring villagers and acquiring vast lands for cattle ranching.

Meanwhile, the first farmer, now old and weary, continued plowing his fields. His sons helped, but the land’s yield no longer sufficed to sustain the family. Only then did he realize the truth: despite his years of hard work, he had barely progressed, while his friend, through patience and foresight, had built an empire.

The difference was clear—one sought short-term rewards, while the other embraced a long-term vision. And in the end, the one who had dared to dream beyond the ordinary had found true success.