In Thylos, the inhabitants are diminutive, meticulous creatures known as Thylosians. They bear resemblance to humans, except for the fact that they do not surpass the size of a mouse and primarily sustain themselves on water and air.
Water is a luxury in Thylos due to the country’s desert location. Consequently, water has become the currency for trade, services, and debt settlement. A Thylosian’s wealth is determined by their water reserves. Centiliter cups are used to measure water quantities for transactions, and citizens carry small rubber bottles as their purses.
Within this country, three friends named Zybro, Viga, and Banisha resided. Zybro aspired to lead a comfortable life, not excessively wealthy but not poor either. He desired to provide services to the affluent in society and earn an honest living from it.
Viga yearned for greater freedom, to work and play as he pleased.
“I want several wells,” stated Banisha.
“You two are being unrealistic,” Zybro responded. “Building a well in the desert is an arduous task.”
“But not impossible,” Banisha countered. “We know of individuals in Thylos who have successfully constructed wells.”
“The few examples we know of are the rich and powerful,” Viga added.
“Remember Moriki,” Zybro reminded them. “He attempted to build a well, but when he realized how impossible it was, he gave up. We are well aware of the rich; their success is often rooted in deceit and corruption.”
“All we need is the right information,” Banisha asserted. “Mystery remains mysterious until it is understood.”
“If wells have been dug in the desert before, then more can be dug,” Viga concluded.
Digging a well in Thylos is an extremely strenuous task, more laborious than searching for gold. Thylos experiences limited rainfall, and when it does rain, the water is not suitable for drinking. However, it helps soften the soil, making well digging more feasible during the rainy season. The ultra-rich in Thylos are those who have dug multiple wells.
After their discussion—or argument, as some might call it—the three friends went their separate ways. They had met in a park.
“Let’s collaborate and dig a well together,” Banisha proposed to Viga. “Digging alone would be incredibly challenging.”
“It’s hard, but not impossible,” Viga replied. “I’ll dig my own well.”
“How do you plan to pay the workers?” Banisha inquired. “Do you intend to do all the work yourself?”
“I will find employment and use the income to pay the workers. Gradually, I’ll dig my first well. I expect it to be completed in ten years.”
“That’s a brilliant idea.” They remained silent for a moment before Banisha spoke again. “Then I’ll need to find other partners.”
“Yes, you should.”
“Well, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Okay, thanks for coming to my place.”
They shook hands, and Banisha departed.
“Lazy Banisha,” Viga chuckled. “He thinks I’m foolish to embark on the project with him. I’ve always known him to be lazy; he can’t even work hard enough to have his own well.”
Their friend Zybro was employed by Muji, a wealthy man in Thylos and ranked third in terms of the number of wells he owned. Banisha found Muji’s story to be a great inspiration. Muji started with just one well that he co-founded with friends. With the income generated, he dug another well solely owned by him. From there, he continued digging wells until he became the third wealthiest person in Thylos. Banisha shared this story with Zybro when he learned about Zybro’s employment with Muji. However, Zybro responded in his usual manner.
“They only tell you the positive side; they won’t reveal the darker aspects,” Zybro said.
“If there were any negative aspects,” Banisha countered, “I believe his friends who co-founded the first well would be aware of them as well. But despite their wealth, his friends are nowhere near him in terms of wealth ranking in Thylos. Or perhaps there are worse aspects that only Banisha has discovered.”
Zybro remained silent, so Banisha continued.
“I think it all comes down to principles, my dear friend. Muji discovered and applied them, and today he is as successful as he is.”
Zybro refused to believe Banisha’s words. He believed Muji had a secret he was keeping hidden—something rooted in deceit and corruption.
“I’m searching for partners to join me in digging my first well,” Banisha announced. “I’d be glad if you joined me.”
“You know I can’t; I have bills to pay,” Zybro replied.
After trying to persuade Zybro to partner with him and facing rejection, Banisha left Zybro’s house.
Zybro attempted to dig a well after he started working for Muji. However, after two months of digging, he abandoned the project. Viga, also employed, didn’t even make an attempt to dig a well. To earn more money and continue his project while meeting his expenses, Viga took on two jobs, working both during the day and at night. Eventually, he decided to quit one job to alleviate his stress.
Banisha’s experience was different. No one was willing to invest in the project, so he tried to convince five friends to contribute their time. Every day, seven days a week, they dug the ground, and the hole grew deeper. After about a year, water emerged. However, the water was unfit for drinking, so they drained it and continued digging. Nearly a month passed when they encountered the hardest part of the soil, assuring them that their labor would soon be rewarded. It was at this point that Viga arrived and offered to become a partner.
“Oh no, it’s too late,” Banisha responded to Viga’s request.
“It might take you guys a very long time to reach clean water,” Viga commented. “Furthermore, you need more hands.”
“Perhaps in another project, please,” Banisha said. “We’re almost done with this one, and even if I wanted you to join us, the other partners wouldn’t approve.”
When the work was completed, Banisha purchased drums and filled them with water. In less than five months, he began his first solo project. Meanwhile, Zybro, desperate to become rich, approached Muji, his employer, and asked for mentorship on achieving wealth.
“If you want to become wealthy, you must be prepared to do what needs to be done,” Muji advised Zybro.
“I am determined to do whatever it takes,” Zybro declared.
“Then dig a well. Yes, it’s challenging, but that’s what must be done. There are three types of people in this world: the wealthy, the rich, and the financially free. A wealthy person possesses an abundance of anything. And in Thylos, everyone is wealthy because we all have access to land.
“The rich are those who have converted their wealth into its financial equivalent. Although everyone in Thylos has access to land, to be considered rich, one must be capable of digging a well from the land.
“Lastly, as your earnings increase, your expenses also grow. You have always desired to live a comfortable life, but now, with money in your hands, it’s easy to become extravagant if not restrained, and your expenses might exceed your earnings. Therefore, your earnings must increase.
“To achieve financial freedom, you must surpass your expenses with your earnings. That’s why you need to dig more wells.”
With that, Zybro expressed his gratitude to Muji and left. His outward appearance after leaving Muji’s presence might have led one to think that his words had not resonated with Zybro, but he thanked him and departed.
© Kanu Ekpezu, All Rights Reserved