📘 The Honest Boy
From the Luminous Treasure Series (Suitable for ages 7–11)
By Obasi Laura Chikaima
There once lived a poor family in a quiet village. They had no money, only a little farm—barely enough to feed them. Among them was a bright and thoughtful boy named Amadike.
Though life was hard, Amadike always looked for ways to help his family. One sunny morning, while staring at their little plot of land, he had an idea.
“Papa, Mama,” he said, “since we have a small farm, why don’t I go to the king’s palace and ask for some seeds? Maybe the king can help us grow more food.”
His parents looked at each other. They were hesitant but touched by his courage. After some thought, they nodded.
“Go, Amadike. Be respectful and speak from your heart.”
Excited, Amadike set off, determined to bring hope home.
On his way to the palace, something unexpected happened. Just beside the footpath, Amadike saw an old leather bag hidden beneath some leaves. Curious, he picked it up and opened it—and gasped.
The bag was full of seeds—beautiful, rich seeds of every kind.
His heart leapt. “This is a miracle!” he whispered. “God has blessed us!”
Without thinking further, he ran home and showed his parents the treasure.
“Mama! Papa! Look! Seeds! We can plant them and grow food!”
But his father’s face turned serious. “Where did you get these, Amadike?”
He explained. He hadn’t reached the palace; he just found them.
His mother gently placed her hand on his shoulder. “My son, it seems like a blessing, but we must be careful. What if someone lost this bag? You cannot take what does not belong to you.”
Amadike was confused and disappointed. “But we need them so badly.”
His father replied, “True blessings come in truth. If the seeds are meant for us, they will come back the right way.”
One warm afternoon, Amadike was doing his chores when he turned to his mother.
“Mummy,” he said thoughtfully, “since I’m not going to school, can I get a job?”
His mother looked at him kindly but with concern. “Amadike, my son, we don’t have money to pay the fees people ask before giving jobs.”
“But Mum, some of my friends are in school. Others are working to help their families. I don’t want to just sit at home.”
His mother nodded slowly and shared his words with his father that evening.
The next morning, his father called him.
“My son, you are our only child. Since we can’t afford school now, let’s find a way for you to grow through work.”
So, Amadike and his father set off for the King’s palace. When they arrived, they bowed low.
“Why have you come?” the King asked kindly.
Amadike’s father spoke, “Your Majesty, we are here to ask for work for my son. We cannot afford school, but he is a hardworking and honest boy.”
The King studied them for a moment, then smiled.
“Your son is brave. From today, Amadike will work in the palace garden. He will care for the royal seeds. Let him learn, and we shall see what grows.”
Amadike bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will work hard.”
And so, Amadike began a new journey.
He was not in school, but he was learning. He was not rich, but he was rich in courage and heart.
He watered plants, cleaned tools, and watched the sun rise over rows of green. He was proud, and his parents were proud of him.
Little did they know that in the garden of the King, something magical was waiting—something that would soon change everything.
Something called... the luminous treasure.
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