The Brothers' Harvest

Once upon a time, in a distant countryside, there lived two brothers: the older one was named Jack, and the younger one, Mike. Their parents had passed away, leaving them a fertile piece of land and a small wooden cabin.

Jack was hardworking and diligent. Each morning, before the sun rose, he would grab his hoe and head to the fields to sow seeds for vegetables and fruits. His sweat mixed with the soil, nurturing it with each drop as if every ounce of effort promised a bountiful harvest. Mike, on the other hand, was often found lounging under the shade of a tree, watching clouds drift lazily across the sky. “Why bother working so hard? Jack’s planting enough for both of us. He’ll share,” Mike thought smugly.

When autumn arrived, Jack’s fields were bursting with golden pumpkins, bright red tomatoes, and crisp green cucumbers. His barn overflowed with the fruits of his labor. But Mike’s plot was overrun with weeds, yielding not a single crop.

One day, Mike gazed at Jack’s full barn with envy and ran up to him, whining, “Jack, you’ve harvested so much! Can you share some with me? I didn’t plant anything this year, and I’m starving!”

Jack couldn’t bear to see his brother suffer. He sighed and handed over some fruits and vegetables. Mike grinned slyly as he took them, thinking to himself, “This is great! I don’t even have to work to get food.”

The next spring, Jack was back in the fields at dawn, planting an even larger variety of crops. Mike, convinced that Jack would share again, stayed true to his lazy ways, idling away his days without so much as touching a hoe.

When autumn came, Jack’s fields once again overflowed with produce. Mike eagerly ran to Jack’s barn, ready to claim his share. But this time, Jack stood firm. He looked at his younger brother and asked seriously, “Mike, did you plant anything this year? Did you work for any of this?”

Mike hung his head, pouting. “No,” he admitted.

Jack shook his head and said firmly, “If you didn’t plant anything, you can’t expect a harvest. Those who do nothing have no right to enjoy the fruits of someone else’s hard work.”

These words struck Mike like a bolt of lightning. For the first time, he realized how much he had been relying on his brother. He felt ashamed, and tears welled up in his eyes.

From that day on, Mike changed. He woke up early like Jack and headed to the fields with his hoe. Though his hands blistered and his back ached, he refused to give up.

Seeing Mike’s determination, Jack was both touched and proud. He patiently taught his younger brother how to plant seeds, fertilize the soil, and care for the crops.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Mike’s once barren plot sprouted fresh, green seedlings. He tended to them with care, as if they were his own children.

When autumn finally arrived, Mike’s fields also yielded a bountiful harvest. Looking at the fruits and vegetables he had grown with his own hands, Mike felt a deep sense of pride and joy.

From then on, the two brothers worked side by side, planting, harvesting, and thriving together. Mike was never lazy again. He had learned that “you reap what you sow” and that true happiness comes from earning something through hard work.

This story teaches us that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. To achieve great rewards, one must first put in the effort and labor.