A merchant from Syria arrived in a village in Egypt looking for a mystic, who was said to have a magic cape that could change the lives of those who used it.
Upon finding the mystic in a temple of Nefertiri, the merchant then asked the wise old man:
- So it's true what they say, wise old man?
That you have the sacred cape of Akhenaten?
I heard that this cape has very powerful mystical powers.
This is true?
The mystic then approached the merchant and said:
- In fact, the magic cape was not Akhenaten's.
This magical robe was given to Akhenaten by a wise wizard from Eridu, as a mystical gift.
The mage had done some very powerful magic and turned sunlight into this cape.
It is said that God in his solar form gave this cape to the wizard of Eridu.
As you know, the golden cape has very powerful magical powers.
Whoever wears this cape will have plenty and prosperity throughout his life, but it has a price:
Whoever wears this solar cape will have to share his wealth and gold with the poorest and most needy.
Just like the wizard of Eridu and Akhenaten did when they wore this golden cape.
Many villages were contemplated with the kindness and generosity of these wise warriors of God.
"A true king is not the one who has the most gold and wealth, but the one who shares what he has with his people."
The merchant was fascinated by the mystical story that the wise old man had told him.
He then asked the mystic:
- What must I do to deserve this valuable gift?
I brought gold, precious stones and also the most luxurious carpets from Syria.
Are you willing to make a fair trade?
I'll pay you what you want, wise old man?
The Mystic then replied to the merchant:
- I will not accept your gold, nor your precious stones, nor your luxurious carpets.
If you give me your word that you will use this magic cape to help the poorest and neediest people through your kindness and generosity, then this golden cape will be yours.
The merchant then gave his word, and promised the wise old man that he would fulfill his promise, and that he would help the poorest and humblest people in his village.
The mystic then handed the golden cape to the merchant who made his way back to Syria.
During his journey back to his homeland, the merchant realized that whenever he wore the golden cape he did good business and made a lot of money.
He became the wealthiest and best known merchant in those port regions.
Everyone admired that fortunate merchant who wore the golden cape.
When he arrived in Syria with a lot of money and gold, he had forgotten the promise he had made to the old mystic.
He did not share his money and gold with the poorest and humblest people in his village as he had promised.
He wasn't honest, kind, and fair.
Instead, he used the golden cape to get richer, and bought all the properties and businesses of the richest people in the village.
Increasingly rich and famous, the merchant squandered his money and gold in Syria's most luxurious taverns and rafter races, and accumulated more and more wealth and fortune.
He didn't care about the poorest and neediest people in his village.
Whenever he wore the golden cape he felt powerful.
He then wanted to prove this power to his admirers.
He decided that he would build the most imposing and luxurious palace in all of Syria.
He wanted to be like Akhenaten.
He wanted to be revered as a king and a living God.
Time passed and the Palace was ready with all its magnificence and luxury.
The Palace towers almost reached the clouds they were so high.
The merchant then donned his golden cape and threw a great feast to celebrate his abode of the Gods.
He drank from golden goblets, ate a veritable feast of kings, and lay down with beautiful odalisques.
Lust and pride were sparkling in his eyes and he had the happiest night of his life.
But whenever the night ends, the sun rises to remind us that we have a new day, and just like the promises we didn't keep, the sun reminds us that they're still there.
That morning the sun rose and along with it thunder roared in the sky and brought along with its wrath a strong storm that like millions of swords hit the Palace and made it collapse, being completely destroyed.
And that's how the merchant paid for his contempt, arrogance, and selfishness.
He was crushed by his own greed.
Nightwish 🔮🎶