Final answer:
A merchant obsessed with wealth learns the hard truth of the adage 'all that glitters is not gold', as a stone that turns all to gold also robs him of the true riches of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
There once lived a merchant who sought riches beyond his wildest dreams. The allure of a legendary stone, said to turn all it touched to gold, consumed his every thought. On a bright autumn morning, he set off, guided only by whispered rumors and the glint of greed in his eyes. Weeks turned into months as he faced treacherous paths, each more perilous than the last. Yet, his conviction never waned; his desire for the golden touch was relentless.
As fate would have it, his journey led him to the heart of a dense, enigmatic forest, where he finally stumbled upon an ancient altar. There, bathed in mystical light, lay a stone, glittering like a star. The merchant reached out, trembling with anticipation. The moment his skin brushed against the stone's surface, a blinding flash enveloped him. His elation was short-lived, for as his vision cleared, he realized that all around him had indeed turned to gold, including his beloved horse, now a lifeless statue.
Gradually, the bitter truth dawned upon him. The stone did not discern between living creatures and inanimate objects. Loneliness crept into his heart, as he acknowledged the solemn irony of his wish. In his quest for wealth, he had paid the ultimate price: he was now the richest man in a world where everything he touched was as cold and devoid of life as the pretty trinkets he once coveted.
Through this story, the merchant learned a grave lesson. Not everything that glitters—like that deceptive golden stone—is as valuable as it appears. He understood that genuine wealth lies in life's vibrant moments and the warmth of relationships, not in the hollow shine of gold.