He POUNDED His Only DAUGHTER ALIVE
In a distant village, Tar, a humble farmer, lived a simple life filled with the love of his family. Despite his poverty, his home overflowed with joy—until a tempting offer from Chief Azuka promised easy riches. Seduced by wealth, Tar faced a horrifying choice that threatened to destroy everything he held dear. This is the tale of Tar’s fall from grace and the lesson that true wealth lies in love, not gold.
A Simple Life of Love
Tar, a hardworking farmer in a faraway village, toiled on others’ lands to provide for his beautiful wife, a market trader, and their three children—two sons and a daughter, Amina. Though poor, their home brimmed with laughter and love. Evenings were spent sharing stories over warm meals, Tar’s tired heart warmed by his family’s embrace. His life proved that true wealth was measured not in coins but in the happiness of those he cherished.
The Sting of Betrayal
Tar’s wealthier friends, once close, began to shun him for his poverty. At a village gathering, they humiliated him, demanding he clear their plates because he was “lesser.” “We’re friends, and I’m older than you all,” Tar protested, but they threatened to shame him further. Heartbroken, he complied, walking home with the weight of their cruelty. His wife, seeing his pain, comforted him: “Our family is what matters.” Tar resolved to work harder, determined to shield his family from want.
Endless Toil, Unfair Treatment
Tar’s days were grueling, planting and harvesting under the hot sun for employers who often delayed or shortchanged his pay. His wealthier friends exploited him further, demanding he perform degrading tasks like washing clothes for meager sums. Once, a friend promised money for food but paid a pittance after Tar cleaned his house. Another time, a friend delayed payment for a day’s labor, leaving Tar frustrated but steadfast. His love for his family kept him going, no matter the injustice.
A Tempting Offer
During harvest season, Tar approached Chief Azuka, the village’s richest man, offering his and his sons’ labor for his vast farm. They worked tirelessly through sun and rain, completing the harvest with pride. But when Tar sought payment, Azuka gave only a third, promising the rest later—an unusual move that sparked worry. That night, Tar’s wife noticed his unease. “Chief Azuka didn’t pay fully,” he confessed. She reassured him, urging patience, and they shared a joyful meal with their children.
The next day, Azuka welcomed Tar with lavish hospitality, offering food and a shocking proposal: “You deserve more than coins. Visit my friend at the forest’s edge for a ritual that will make you rich without toil.” Wary but intrigued, Tar accepted a bundle of money—ten times his owed wages—as a “gift” to consider the offer. At home, his wife cautioned, “Easy riches bring trouble.” Tar, torn, wrestled with the temptation of a better life.
The Dark Ritual
After days of inner conflict, Tar, driven by the promise of providing for his family, agreed to the ritual. At the forest’s edge, an old man with a white beard led him to a stone circle with eerie symbols. Tar rubbed a strange oil on his skin as the old man chanted, feeling an unnatural warmth. “The gods will grant you riches, but there’s always a price,” the old man warned, handing Tar a pouch of gold coins. Tar returned home, overjoyed, believing his family’s struggles were over.
A Sudden Fortune
Tar’s life transformed overnight. His humble home filled with gold, fine clothes, and ornaments. Villagers whispered in awe, speculating about hidden treasures or divine blessings. His old friends, once dismissive, now flocked to him, probing for his secret. Tar, guarded, said only, “The gods blessed me.” His wife, though thrilled, sensed unease in his distant demeanor. “Be careful, Tar,” she urged. “This wealth feels too sudden.” Tar reassured her, but the weight of his secret grew heavier.
The Old Man’s Demand
Weeks later, a messenger summoned Tar back to the forest. The old man’s grave words chilled him: “The gods demand a sacrifice—your daughter, Amina.” Tar recoiled, pleading for another way, but the old man was unyielding: “Refuse, and you’ll lose everything—wealth, sanity, life.” Tar returned home, hiding his horror from his wife. For days, he watched Amina’s innocent laughter, tormented by the old man’s threat. On the fifth day, fear overwhelmed him, and he resolved to comply, hoping to save his family’s future.
A Heartbreaking Betrayal
That night, Tar prepared a potion and black oil as instructed, his hands trembling. He called Amina, coaxing her to drink and apply the oil. As she fell unconscious, Tar carried her to the forest, tears streaming down his face. In the stone circle, he prepared to complete the ritual, whispering, “I’m so sorry, Amina.” Just as he raised the mortar, his wife’s scream pierced the night: “Tar, no!” She had followed, suspecting his distress. Villagers, alerted by her cry, restrained Tar and rushed Amina to the herbalist.
Justice and Redemption
Bound and guarded, Tar faced the villagers’ anger and pity. Amina, saved by the herbalist, slowly recovered. Tar was brought before the king, where he confessed: “Chief Azuka manipulated me with promises of wealth. I didn’t know it would come to this.” Azuka had fled, leaving Tar to face the consequences. The king, noting Amina’s survival, spared Tar’s life but sentenced him to prison, where he could work to atone, visited by his family. Tar accepted his fate, vowing to seek forgiveness.
A Lesson in True Wealth
In his cell, Tar reflected on his choices. His greed had nearly cost him his daughter and shattered his family. The village buzzed with his story, a warning against the lure of easy riches. Tar’s wife and children forgave him, rebuilding their lives with honest labor. Tar found solace in knowing his tale would teach others: love and integrity are treasures no gold can match. True wealth lies in family, not in fleeting fortunes bought at a terrible price.
