Filippo Moskwa

The Rich Man was one of the greatest stockbrokers of all time. He had everything a man could wish for. He lived in a breath-taking villa just outside New York City. His avarice was so great that he used to spend days checking his various bank accounts. Money was his obsession.

The Rich Man also had a daughter and he loved her very much. He would keep everything to himself, but her he would give her everything.

One day, while walking to the stock exchange market, the Rich Man met one of his best clients, a wealthy businessman.

“Come with me,” the client said to the Rich Man. “I will show you something extraordinary.”

The two men walked into a post office next to the market and stopped in front of the post lockers, in which people used to keep valuable things.

“Open box number 100,” the wealthy businessman said to the Rich Man.

Inside the box, there was a list of companies traded on the stock market and information about how much they would be worth at the end of the day. The Rich Man was shocked. He realized that with this list he could become the richest person on the planet!

From that day on, the Rich Man came to the post office every day. He used that list very well. His wealth grew beyond imagination.

However, at the same time, he forgot about everything else. He was so greedy and hypnotized that he forgot about his daughter. He forgot about the beauty of the world and all other things besides money.

One day, while walking out of his villa, the Rich Man noticed that his daughter’s things were missing. She had packed her things and moved out. The Rich Man stopped. He could not believe what had just happened. He ran out of his house looking for the wealthy businessman.

“Take this away from me!” the Rich Man cried. “I don’t want this information anymore.”

The Rich Man begged and cried, and the wealthy businessman felt sorry for him.

“Good. I will take it away from you,” said the wealthy businessman.

The next day, the Rich Man went quietly to the post office and box number 100 was empty. There was just a small card with an address on it. He went there and found his daughter. She forgave him as children should always forgive their parents.

The Rich Man decided to share his great fortune with people. From then on, he became a better person – generous and grateful for all the gifts of his life. The Rich Man understood, just like King Midas did, that money does not bring happiness.