John lived in a small Thai village and was happy: lots of free time, festivals every week, modest but nutritious food. Everyone lived in their homes and ate what they grew themselves.
Then a TV appeared in the village, and people began to watch programs that were broadcast from Bangkok. John felt unhappy: he wanted more. He went to Bangkok and worked there a lot. He couldn't afford anything but rice, noodles and pad thai on weekends. He was sleeping in a small room with several people and was really unhappy.
Doubts arose in John's head: why do people work for 30 years to have a house? Why should they work in such a way that there is no time to understand yourself and decide whether you are happy or not?
John returned to the village and began to live there. He was able to build a house in three months, and he had 29 years and 9 months left to just lie down and read books.
He built a few more houses and now he could choose where to live today. His friend, who did well in school, is now a lawyer. He has been working in Bangkok for 30 years to pay for his house. Our hero already has several of them.
So why is it so difficult for us to live if everything is so simple?
