There was a soul who was kind and helpful in life, and upon death, ascended to heaven to become an angel. Even as an angel, he frequently descended to the mortal realm to help others, hoping to taste the essence of happiness.
One day, he met a distressed farmer. The farmer lamented to the angel, "My ox has just died. Without it to plow the fields, how can I cultivate my land?" The angel gifted him a strong ox, and seeing the farmer's newfound hope, the angel felt the taste of happiness.
Another day, he met a despondent man. The man lamented, "I have been swindled of all my money, and I have no funds to return home." The angel gave him silver for his journey, and seeing the man's relief, the angel felt the taste of happiness once more.
On another occasion, he encountered a poet. This poet was young, handsome, talented, and wealthy, with a beautiful and gentle wife, yet he was unhappy. The angel asked, "Why are you unhappy? Is there anything I can do for you?" The poet replied, "I have everything, except for one thing. Can you give it to me?" The angel answered, "Anything you desire, I can provide." The poet looked directly at the angel and said, "I want happiness." The angel was stumped. After a moment of thought, he said, "I understand." Then, the angel stripped the poet of everything: his talent, his beauty, his wealth, and even his wife's life. Having done this, the angel departed.
A month later, the angel returned to the poet. At that time, the poet was starving and lying in tattered clothes, struggling for life. The angel then restored everything to him and left once more.
Half a month later, the angel visited the poet again. This time, the poet held his wife tightly and thanked the angel incessantly. For he had finally discovered the true meaning of happiness.
