Tale of the Ambitious Apprentice

Sunil Dom
2 min readSep 4, 2024

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village known for its craftsmanship

In a lively village known for its craftsmanship there was a young and talented apprentice named Ravi. He was fortunate to be under the tutelage of Master Kumar a blacksmith whose skills were renowned throughout the region. Ravi was not just skilled; he was ambitious. Every day he strove to become better to outdo even his master.

One day a wealthy merchant arrived at the blacksmith’s shop seeking a finely crafted sword. Ravi saw this as his moment to shine. While Master Kumar was away Ravi worked tirelessly pouring all his creativity into forging a sword that was not just functional but also a work of art. The blade was sharp the balance perfect and the handle adorned with intricate designs that dazzled anyone who laid eyes on it.

Photo by Mars Williams on Unsplash

When the merchant returned he was captivated by the sword. He praised Ravi endlessly, rewarding him with a bag full of gold coins. For Ravi it felt like a dream come true his skills had finally been recognized and by someone of importance. However when Master Kumar saw the sword and learned of the merchant’s praise his expression darkened. Though he didn’t say much Ravi could sense a change in their relationship. The lessons became less frequent and the once open lines of communication closed off. Master Kumar’s pride had been hurt and Ravi despite his newfound wealth found himself alone.

Over time Ravi realized that while his ambition had brought him temporary success it had also cost him the guidance of a master who had much more to teach. He had failed to recognize that the respect and trust of his master were more valuable than any amount of praise or gold. The lesson here is clear: Ambition is essential but it must be tempered with respect for those who guide you. Never outshine the master for in doing so you might lose more than you gain.

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Sunil Dom
Sunil Dom

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