Once there lived a rich merchant and a poor shoemaker in the same house. The merchant occupied the second floor, while the shoemaker lived and worked in a small room on the first floor.
The shoemaker was one of the happiest persons on earth. He worked from morning till night, singing merrily. His heart was filled with joy whenever he looked at the boots and shoes to be repaired.
The merchant upstairs was so rich that he hardly knew how much wealth he had. He was always counting his gold and silver coins far into the night. Even in bed, his uneasiness about his riches kept him awake. When he finally fell asleep for an hour or two, the song of the happy shoemaker, who was an early riser, would begin. It continued all day and troubled the merchant. Day by day, the merchant grew more tired from lack of sleep. He asked a wise friend how to stop the shoemaker's song.
"Well, if I were you, I would give the shoemaker a hundred pounds," answered his friend. "You are rich enough to do that. Ask for nothing in return. Simply give the money." The merchant readily followed the advice.
When the shoemaker opened the bag sent by the merchant, he was amazed to find shining coins. "I must hide this from my neighbors. If they see it, they will think I stole it," he thought. "I will keep it away even from my wife." So he hid the bag of money under the floor.
From then on, he avoided his neighbors as much as he could. His wife, who had been his best companion, became a source of worry as his mind was too fixed on the money bag to work diligently. He could no longer sing merrily. Whenever he thought of the money, he became uneasy and unhappy.
Finally, one day his wife said to him in tears, "Dear husband, what makes you so sad and uneasy? All our neighbors say you have changed. I wish you were as good and gentle as before." He felt so sorry that he told her everything.
"We were happy before the merchant gave us the money," said his wife upon hearing the story. "We have good health and plenty of work. What more do we need? Send the money back, and our happy life will return."
The shoemaker agreed and went to return the money. "Sir," he said, "let me return this to you. By giving this to me, you have spoiled my happy and easy life. I want my happiness back by returning your gift."
Merry song was again heard all over the house. He was as happy as he had ever been.