The Story of a Servant

Marek sat in his large leather armchair, listening intently to the exchange rates announced by the radio station. "They've gone up again. If they keep this up, they'll bring me a bigger profit than my previous investment," he said to himself, his voice filled with a tone of joy. Marek was one of the richest men in the world. He had everything a person could ever desire. He lived in a veritable palace with a large gym and a swimming pool. His property was surrounded by a magnificent garden, home to every species and variety of roses. He ate exceptional dishes prepared by a hundred of the most distinguished chefs. Yet, he couldn't enjoy it. He was blind to the beauty around him. Every day, he passed by his magnificent flowers without a second thought, never once taking a good look at them. He couldn't even name their names or species. He was interested in something else entirely. His days were filled with the struggle to increase his wealth. He loved hearing that his investments were generating enormous profits. He poured all his energy into business meetings, conversations with influential people, and buying and selling material goods. Working on increasing his wealth so consumed him that he had no time for anything else. He didn't even notice the people around him. His only favorite pastime was looking at gold coins and large-denomination banknotes. He could spend hours turning over the symbols of his wealth in his hands. He would sacrifice anything to increase his wealth. He, Marek, became the servant of his money. Sometimes it even seemed to him that it was whispering to him, wanting more and more of it. Therefore, he did everything to make their wishes come true.

But one day, something extraordinary happened. His entire, carefully crafted world vanished in an instant. He couldn't reach any of his business partners. His office, too, had mysteriously vanished. At first, he liked it. He was now completely free. He could do literally anything. He no longer had to worry about anything. He had everything: money, health, youth. But was that really everything? After a while, loneliness began to bother him. He was now alone in his enormous palace with a swimming pool, gym, and beautiful garden. No one visited him, no one called him—no one knew anything about him. He, Marek—the richest man in the world—now no one cared. He had no one to talk to, no one to cuddle with. Everything he had accumulated had ceased to matter. Having money was no longer enough. It couldn't fill the void that had formed around him. He couldn't talk to them, couldn't hug them, they couldn't comfort him. They could only whisper, "More, more of us." Marek didn't want to hear it anymore. He grabbed his coat and ran out of the palace, which had now become his prison. He walked for a long time down the street, lost in thought over his life. Suddenly, a desperate cry for help reached his ears. He stopped and looked around. Before him, an old beggar knelt on his knees. He looked terrible. His clothes were torn and dirty, his hair disheveled. His face was pale, with sunken cheeks. If it weren't for the unnaturally gleaming eyes, one might have thought he was some ghostly apparition, not a living person.

"Good lord, give me something to eat. I haven't eaten for three days," the beggar said imploringly, and he looked pointedly at the tastefully dressed passerby.

Marek felt sorry for the poor man. He decided to help him. He not only fed and clothed him, but also promised to find him a job. The beggar couldn't contain his joy. He grabbed the hem of Marek's coat and began kissing it. Marek struggled to free himself from the poor man's embrace. Reminding him to go to the indicated address, he continued on his way. He felt strange now. His spirits were very light. His heart and mind were filled with an indescribable joy. He didn't know why, but he felt like singing and jumping with this overwhelming joy. As he passed a small wall, he noticed a girl sitting on it. She was hunched over. She buried her head in her hands and wept. Marek stood before her and asked the reason for her sadness. The girl said she had lost fifty zlotys and was now afraid to go home because it was the last money her mother had. She was supposed to buy groats for dinner and bring back the change, but she had lost it. Marek felt sorry for the distraught child. Without a second thought, he handed the girl two hundred złoty and told her to take it to her mother. The girl looked in disbelief at the man standing next to her and hesitantly took the money. With joy and gratitude, she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly. She also asked what she could do for him to repay him. Marek asked her to visit him someday.

Tired but joyful, he returned home. He sat down in his leather armchair and closed his eyes. The delighted faces of the people he had met today passed behind his eyelids. He heard their voices filled with hope for a better tomorrow. For the first time in his memory, he felt like laughing. He was happy to see how much joy he brought to others. During that single walk, he understood more than he had in his entire life. Yes, now he knew what he would do with himself and his money. He decided to use his wealth to help himself and others. Now he knew that he shouldn't be the one to serve his money, but rather that it should serve him. From now on, he will command them to bring happiness and joy to others.