There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Once upon a time, a wise king who cared for his people like his own children ruled a prosperous land where everyone enjoyed plenty and peace. Yet, even in his enlightened state, the king worried about his people's future after his passing. Determined to secure lasting happiness for his subjects, he summoned the kingdom’s brightest minds and ordered them to discover an eternal principle that would ensure prosperity.
A month later, three scholars presented the king with three hefty books, each six inches thick. “Your Majesty, within these volumes lies the sum of all worldly knowledge. If our people learn from them, they will never suffer hardship.” But the king doubted that ordinary folk would ever spend so much time poring over dense texts. He sent the scholars back for further research.
Within two months, the scholars managed to condense the wisdom into one slim volume. Still, the king wasn’t convinced. One month later, they returned with a single sheet of paper. Reading it, the king smiled broadly and declared, “At last! As long as my people truly embrace the wisdom on this page, I’m confident they’ll enjoy lives of abundance and joy.” And so, he richly rewarded the scholars. The lone sentence on that paper read:
“There is no such thing as something for nothing.”
Many dream of rapid success without effort, yet few realize that every worthwhile achievement demands genuine hard work. Relying on luck or cutting corners only leads to half-hearted efforts. Don’t waste your time daydreaming about a lottery win or gambling away your future—such fantasies are nothing more than obstacles to real progress.
Consider the tale of Peter Fret. When rumors spread that gold had been discovered along the banks of the Savin River, treasure hunters flocked to the area, each hoping to strike it rich. They scoured the riverbed and dug countless pits in search of fortune. A few found a glimmer of gold, but most returned empty-handed, disheartened and frustrated.
Not one to accept failure, Peter decided to stake everything on his own land near the river. Investing every cent he had into his quest for gold, he worked relentlessly for months. Yet, despite his tireless digging, not a speck of gold appeared. After six grueling months, with even enough money left to buy a loaf of bread long gone, Peter resolved to leave and try his luck elsewhere.
Then, on the eve of his departure, a torrential downpour began—a relentless rain that lasted three days and nights. When it finally subsided, Peter stepped out of his small cabin and noticed a dramatic change: the deep pits in his land had been washed away, leaving behind smooth, fertile soil covered with a fresh, green carpet of grass.
“That may not be gold,” Peter thought, “but this land is rich in potential. I can plant flowers here and sell them in town to those wealthy folk who love to adorn their homes with beauty. With a little care, I might still make my fortune—and eventually become rich.”
Inspired by his new vision, Peter decided to stay. He devoted himself to nurturing flower seedlings, and before long, his land burst into a brilliant array of vibrant blooms. When he brought his flowers to town, the well-to-do admired them, exclaiming, “Look at these exquisite flowers—we’ve never seen anything so beautiful!” Eager to enhance their homes, they happily paid a modest sum for Peter’s creations.
Five years later, Peter’s dream had come true—he had become a wealthy man.
The lesson is clear: true rewards come only through hard work. Achieving what you desire by putting in the effort is far more valuable than merely wishing for an effortless windfall. Those who believe that idleness brings happiness while hard work is a burden are mistaken. In fact, genuine contentment arises from self-directed, meaningful labor that not only feeds our bodies but also soothes our souls. Remember, the richest harvests in life go to those who are willing to labor for them—there is simply no substitute for effort.
There is no such thing as something for nothing.