The parable of good and bad deeds

Why do they pay so little for good deeds?

Mickey examined the bookshelves with curiosity, trying to find something familiar but couldn't, which intrigued him even more. Meanwhile, Oscar continued to lie on the couch, seemingly comparing something thoughtfully and dissatisfied. It seemed he wanted to ask something important from his grandfather.

— Grandpa, why is the room so small? It seems like it was a good deed — helping many souls! Or was it a quick and simple task? Did they build a small house for the less fortunate? — Oscar suspiciously asked.

— My dear children, we built a magnificent, strong, and spacious house. Many souls from our magical world have visited there, and some still live there with joy and pleasure to this day. I flew to the fair for many years, took on tasks, and helped build it. It was an important and beneficial endeavor for our magical world, — Grandpa answered.

Mickey understood where Oscar was heading and what his question was, which often troubled him as well. Taking an interesting book from the shelf and sitting next to Oscar, he awaited his question to Grandpa, sipping on the sweet tea.

— Grandpa, but it seems like there's a discrepancy! — Oscar suspiciously began, — the house for the less fortunate is big, yet the small green room, built from the bricks of this important and necessary task, is small! Something doesn't add up here! Why do we get paid so little for good deeds and actions at the fair of life? For example, «helping mom clean the floors» costs 2 bricks, but «making up an excuse and not helping mom» costs 20 bricks! Why do we receive fewer bricks for good deeds compared to bad ones? Good things can't be so cheap! — Oscar exclaimed, surprised and disappointed.

— Oh, you are such meticulous and curious detectives! Nothing can be hidden from you! — Grandpa replied with a smile, finishing his cup of tea.

— Of course, we have the right to know! — Oscar proudly responded and laughed.

Even the all-knowing Mickey looked at Grandpa questioningly. Tension filled the air. Everyone awaited an answer. But our grandpa just cleared his throat, stating that the tea had run out, and flew to the kitchen for a fresh batch.

— That's always the way, just when things get interesting, the tea runs out! — Oscar laughed and took advantage of the pause to examine the books on the shelves, choosing one for himself to read.

Having brewed the tea and grabbed a jar of apricot jam, Grandpa returned and settled in his favorite armchair by the fireplace, between the large bookshelves. He poured fresh tea into the children's cups. Meanwhile, Oscar tossed a couple of logs into the beautiful fireplace, stoking the fire vigorously. Squinting from the sparks and smoke, he prepared himself to listen to Grandpa.

— Well, my dear children, — Grandpa began, — your question is very relevant and important, and the answer to it is quite simple despite its mysterious nature. Let me ask you, do you like my house, or rather, my two houses, and the big garden and the lake?

— Of course, we like them! We want something like that too! — Oscar replied, squinting again as he threw another log into the fire.

— So, you see, I am content, and my friends are content too. I have everything I need, and even more. Look, the shed is filled with good bricks, and the cellar is stocked with jars of jam for a whole year ahead. My house and garden have served me for many, many centuries, and I can't even remember how many centuries have passed. And nobody gifted me this or helped me, I did it all myself, using the bricks I earned at the fair of life for my deeds.

— Well, it's all true, Grandpa, but still, why do they pay so little for good deeds? — Oscar persistently asked, not understanding where Grandpa was leading.

— Tell me, Oscar, have you ever seen any holes in my house after the rain or storms? That's right, you haven't seen a single one. So, it turns out that my houses are built with good bricks that I earned through good deeds and actions, right? — Grandpa asked inquisitively.

— That's right, Grandpa, with good bricks, just like my little house, — Mickey answered in place of Oscar.

— And seeing all my wealth, seeing that I have everything and even more, and knowing that it is the result of my good deeds, answer me this simple question: Are we paid too little or is it enough for good deeds?

— Grandpa, well, then I agree, it's enough! — Oscar answered, surprised and joyful, — and maybe they even pay too much if there's no place to put all those good bricks in the full shed!

Mickey and Oscar looked at Grandpa in astonishment. They didn't expect such an answer and fell into deep thought.

— But why does it seem to us that we are paid too little for good deeds? — Mickey asked.

— You're absolutely right, Mickey, — Grandpa replied, finishing his cup of tea, — It's not that we are paid too little for good deeds, but rather that the snakes pay a lot for bad deeds! And as time goes on, they will keep raising their prices, tempting and seducing inexperienced souls.

— Tell me, Oscar, are you paid enough by your snakes for your bad deeds? Is it sufficient? — Grandpa asked.

— Well, enough already! Those snakes aren't mine! And I won't do bad deeds anymore! — Oscar replied with annoyance. He continued, — but what I don't have, that's true. The more they pay, the stronger the ruin!" Oscar answered and laughed bitterly.

— So, it turns out that even for bad deeds, they don't pay us enough if there's always a shortage of bricks! — Grandpa laughed as well, — that's the answer to your question.

— Yes, it's really that simple, — Mickey said, — It means that on the magical sunny factory, we are given exactly as many bricks as we need, and even more. And I already have an excess in my little shed.

Our enchanted souls were very surprised but satisfied with such a simple answer from Grandpa. As they enjoyed the delicious apricot jam, they gazed thoughtfully and with delight at the beautiful flames dancing in Grandpa's fireplace.