The Golden Touch: A Lesson in Greed

In a prosperous kingdom, there lived a wealthy merchant named Ramesh. He had everything - gold, land, and power - but he was never satisfied. Every day, he counted his riches and wished for more.

One evening, while walking through the market, he saw an old sage sitting beneath a banyan tree. The sage had a peaceful aura, and Ramesh, curious yet skeptical, approached him.

"Wise one," Ramesh said, "I am the richest man in this kingdom, but I desire more. Tell me, how can I become the wealthiest man in the world?"

The sage smiled. "Wealth alone does not bring happiness, my son. But since you seek it, I shall grant you a boon. Starting tomorrow, everything you touch will turn to gold."

Ramesh's eyes widened in excitement. "That would make me the richest man in history!"

The sage simply nodded. "Remember, wealth is not the greatest treasure," he said before disappearing into the night.

A Gift or a Curse?

The next morning, Ramesh eagerly tested his newfound power. He touched his wooden table, and instantly, it turned into solid gold. Overjoyed, he ran through his house, turning furniture, walls, and even his clothes into gold.

He rushed to the marketplace, touching random objects - pots, food, carts - everything transformed into shining gold. The people gasped in awe, and soon, the king himself heard of Ramesh's magical touch.

"With this power, I will become greater than any ruler!" Ramesh boasted. But in his excitement, he felt thirsty and reached for a glass of water. The moment he touched it, the water turned into gold. Shocked, he grabbed a piece of bread - only for it to harden into solid metal.

Panic set in. "What have I done?" he muttered