Story about happiness: Are you really sure things can't get worse

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a poor man with his wife and six children. They all lived together in a tiny, one-room house. No matter how much they tried to make space, they always seemed to be in each other’s way. The children ran and played, the wife cooked, and the father worked. Yet everywhere they turned, there was someone in their path. At night, they struggled to sleep, with bodies pressed so close that it felt as if they were lying on top of each other. Arguments would break out, and frustration filled the air. The poor man loved his family, but he felt he could not bear the crowded space any longer. One evening, he sighed and said to his wife, “We cannot live like this anymore. The house is too small, and life is unbearable. What should we do?” His wife, who was wise in her own way, thought for a moment and replied, “Go and see the village wise man. He has helped many people with their troubles. Perhaps he will have advice for us too.” At first, the man hesitated. He was not sure how an old wise man could make their house any bigger, but he had no other options. So, the next morning, he went to see the wise man.

The old wise man listened carefully as the poor man poured out his troubles. “We are cramped, we are miserable, and we are always fighting. I don’t know what to do.” The wise man stroked his beard and thought deeply. Then he asked, “Tell me, do you have any animals?” The poor man nodded. “Yes, I have a cow, a goat, and a few chickens.” “Good,” the wise man said with a twinkle in his eye. “Here is what you must do. Bring all of your animals into your house to live with you.” The poor man’s eyes widened in shock. “But wise one, our house is already too small! There is barely room for my family how can we live with animals inside?” The wise man smiled gently. “You promised to follow my advice, did you not?” The poor man sighed. “Yes, I did.” So, though it seemed strange, he went home and did exactly as the wise man had instructed. He brought the chickens, the goat, and the cow inside. The house, which had already felt too small, now became complete chaos. The chickens clucked and flapped their wings, perching on shelves and knocking things over. The goat chewed on whatever it could find. Nothing was safe not even clothes, blankets, or the children’s schoolbooks! And the cow, large and heavy, took up so much space that they could barely move around. The family’s misery doubled. The noise, the mess, and the smell were unbearable.

The next day, the poor man ran back to the wise man. “This is a disaster!” he cried. “The chickens are everywhere, making a mess! Please, you must help me.” The wise man nodded as if he had expected this. “Go home and take the chickens back outside.” Relieved, the poor man hurried home and moved the chickens out. That night, the house was quieter, but still unbearably crowded. The next morning, he rushed back to the wise man. “The chickens are gone, but the goat is destroying everything! It is chewing the furniture and knocking things over. We cannot live like this!” The wise man remained calm. “Go home and remove the goat.” The poor man did as he was told. Without the goat, things improved slightly, but it was still too crowded with the cow taking up most of the space. Once again, he ran back to the wise man, desperate for a solution. “The cow! The cow is too big for our house! It’s like we are living in a barn!” The wise man chuckled and said, “Then go home and take the cow outside.” The poor man obeyed at once. That evening, when the family gathered for dinner, something remarkable happened. For the first time in a long while, they sat comfortably. The house, though still the same size, felt spacious and peaceful. The children played without bumping into each other so much, and the parents no longer felt suffocated. The next day, the poor man returned to the wise man not with complaints, but with a big smile. “Wise one, you have worked a miracle! Our home feels so spacious and peaceful now. We are no longer arguing, and I see now how much we truly have. Thank you!” The wise man smiled knowingly. “My friend, your house did not change in size. What changed was your perspective. Before, you focused only on what you lacked, but now you appreciate what you have.” The poor man left, feeling wiser than before. He understood now that gratitude and perspective could make all the difference. And from that day on, even though their house remained small, their hearts were filled with happiness.