One day, there was a man enjoying wealth and riches. His wealth was the result of his constant striving to work diligently. He had a son named Karim. Karim was a young man, sixteen years old. One day, his father summoned him and said to him, “Karim, you are my only son, and all my wealth is yours. No one shares my wealth with you. But I strive to work with effort so that this wealth increases and is not wasted.” Karim replied, “Do not worry, Father; I will not waste your wealth in vain.”
Karim Breaks His Promise to His Father: Karim was not sincere in his promise to his father, but rather kept company with a group of bad friends. He got used to staying up late and taking drugs, and the number of his friends increased day after day, not because they were friends in the true sense of the word, but so they could exploit his wealth and spend his money.
Karim’s father learned of the bad actions Karim was doing and his wasteful spending of his wealth in vain. He became very angry and knew that if Karim continued in these bad habits, he would end his father’s wealth without benefit. So he decided to talk to him to guide him toward the right path and distance him from bad companions. His father waited for his return to the house and said to him, “My dear son, I have learned what you and your bad companions are doing.
I advise you to stay away from these evil people, to turn to work and strive to work with effort and take responsibility for practical work. There is enough time to correct your wrong path and walk in the right path. You are at the age of youth, and your physical and mental strength can help you achieve many ambitions and dreams. Do not waste this age in vain and then regret what you have missed.”
Karim shook his head to express agreement, but unfortunately, Karim continued to meet his bad friends and continued to waste his time in staying up late and bad habits. The conversation with Karim was of any benefit.
Karim’s Father Falls Ill Grieving for His Son: Karim’s father grieved intensely until he fell sick in his bed, and his condition worsened day after day. When he realized he was on the verge of death, he summoned his son Karim to tell him his last will.
The Last Will: Karim entered his father’s room while he was struggling with death. His father said, “Karim, I have advised you repeatedly and repeatedly, but I found you choosing the wrong path every day. I want to tell you that it will lead you to destruction and bankruptcy.
My last advice to you is to stop those actions that will waste your life and your future sooner or later, and even waste the effort of my life that I collected after hard work for many years. But if you feel after my death that the world has narrowed for you, I advise you to enter that room,” and he pointed to a small room in the house. When Karim asked what was inside the room, he learned that there was a hanging rope.
Karim promised his father that he would change his life and behavior and carry out his father’s words. After a few days, Karim’s father died. Karim felt sad for several days, then forgot the matter and returned to meet his bad friends in his father’s house. His unruliness and bad behavior increased, and there was no longer any restraint or connection to his behavior.
Karim Exhausts His Father’s Wealth: Karim continued his behavior for a few months until his money ran out completely, and he no longer had money. His friends distanced themselves from him and left him. One day, Karim felt intense hunger and thirst, and he did not have enough money to buy food or drink.
Karim’s Friends Abandon Him: Karim decided to knock on his friends’ doors to ask them for food and drink. He kept moving from house to house, but the shock Karim faced was unparalleled. His friends denied knowing him and did not offer him a single loaf of bread or a cup of water.
Karim Decides to Commit Suicide: Karim felt misery and wretchedness. His hunger and thirst increased, and he did not know what to do. He had wasted all his money, and his friends had betrayed him. Karim remembered his father’s room and decided to enter his father’s room and commit suicide to end his life.
The Secret of the Locked Room: Karim entered the locked room and found a long rope hanging from the ceiling to the middle of the room. Indeed, it was a hanging rope for suicide. He found a paper written on it: “When the world narrows for you, use this rope, but try it first with your hand to make sure it can bear your weight.”
The Beginning of a New Life: Karim grabbed the rope and pulled it violently. A wooden chest fell on his head. Karim opened the chest and found it full of gold coins. A paper was left inside the chest. Karim opened the folded paper.
He found written in it: “My son Karim, I know that one day, life will become narrow for you if you continue to do your bad and evil actions, and you will end my wealth, and after that, you will wish for death, for you will no longer have a source to obtain food and drink. So I kept a small part of my wealth in this chest, and I hope this is the last opportunity for you to start a small project with this money and begin a new life far from bad friends.” Karim wept bitterly and knew that it was a last opportunity granted to him by the Lord of the Worlds to start a new beginning and change his life.
Translated from the story: Commencement Of A New Life