Parable: Hadwin's Gift

Looking for the updated version? > This story has been completely revised, polished, and integrated into the official Jivavarta Universe. Read the new definitive text and view the official 6-panel comic strip adaptation here: Microfables of Jivavarta: Hadwin's Gift (Updated Version).

One day Hadwin asked his new friend, "What do want for your birthday?” 

The friend thought for a moment, and then said "I don't know. I can never decide, what I want." 

"But then, what should I give you on your birthday?" asked Hadwin. 

"Why don't you surprise me?" said the friend. 

“Sure, I will try." said Hadwin. 

After his friend left, Hadwin sat there thinking. 

A stranger, who was listening to the conversation, got up, and walked towards Hadwin. 

"Don't choose the gift for your friend, it will make you unhappy?” Said the stranger 

Hadwin was little surprised — rather, annoyed — by the stranger’s advice. 

He decided to prove the stranger wrong, and bought the finest and costliest gifts he could 
afford for his friend. 

He was beyond himself as he presented his dear friend with the gift on his birthday. 

His friend opened the gift, gave it a brief look, and thanked Hadwin. 

"Well, do you like it?" Asked Hadwin 
“Sure. Of course I do.” replied the friend, and looked away. 

Hadwin realized that his friend didn't like his gift. This made Hadwin sad. The stranger was 
right, after all. 

He went back to the place in search of the stranger. The stranger was sitting at the very 
same place. 

"How did you know that I will be sad, even after giving one of the finest gifts I could afford 
to my friend." 

"That's easy. The most difficult person to please is the one who doesn't know what he wants. So, 
no matter what you give him, or do for him, he will never be happy." replied the stranger.