Grax the Goblin and His World Beneath the Earth

Grax was a goblin. He was one of those creatures that appeared in the dark corners of myths, the ones children feared to hear about before bedtime. With small eyes, large ears, and a face marked with wrinkles, he lived in the underground caves, surrounded by others of his kind. Goblins had neither particular goals nor worries, other than endlessly causing mischief to anyone who dared enter their world.

Grax was a small, malicious, and often dissatisfied creature that everyone avoided. His small hands were skilled at stealing, setting traps, and creating chaos. He was one of the most active goblins in his community, and everyone else respected him for his inventiveness in mischief and thievery.

He was rude and often mocked others because he was convinced that this was his place in the world. He knew no other way than to serve in his cave, robbing travelers and setting traps for those who accidentally wandered into the underground realms. Every time someone came close to their territory, Grax would laugh, preparing to greet them with the tip of his knife, plunging it into the wallets of the poor travelers.

But despite his malicious nature, Grax could not ignore the fact that something inside him didn’t feel right. Every time he saw others laughing and enjoying life, he felt a void inside. Goblins could sometimes be funny and clever creatures, but they didn’t have what humans always had: friendship, affection, family bonds. Grax had never known what it meant to care for another because he had never seen an example of how it was done.

Over time, Grax began to feel that his life was filled with monotony and hatred. He increasingly asked himself what really brought joy in this world. He tried to find answers in his evil pranks, but the more he destroyed, the more he felt something inside him was broken. Every laugh, every scream he heard brought him no joy, only sadness.

One day, while out hunting for travelers, Grax encountered an old wanderer. This man was different from the ones he usually saw in the caves. The wanderer was not afraid; he simply continued walking, undeterred by the possible traps. Grax, curious, decided to approach and watch him from behind a corner.

The wanderer suddenly stopped, sensing Grax’s presence. He turned around and said, “I know you’re here. Why are you hiding?” Grax was stunned. No one noticed him that quickly, especially those who didn’t know this place. The wanderer, smiling, continued, “You’re searching for something more than just pranks, aren’t you?”

These words struck Grax to the core. He didn’t know how to respond. He really did feel that his life was some sort of empty game. His anger and mischief were the only ways he could express himself, but what was he truly seeking in these actions?

The wanderer, seeing the doubt in Grax’s eyes, stepped closer and said, extending his hand, “You don’t have to be who they say you are. You can find your own way if you let go of what makes you suffer.” Grax didn’t understand what that meant, but he felt a strange warm sensation inside himself. It was like something he had never experienced before — peace.

The next morning, Grax returned to his cave, but he was already a different being. He became less focused on his usual evil deeds and began thinking more about how he could change his life. He didn’t know exactly what he should do, but one thing was clear — he no longer wanted to be who he once was. He didn’t need to be that evil creature who brought pain and destruction.

Grax began helping other creatures in the cave. He learned to build not traps, but safe paths for those who had lost their way. He became a friend to those who sought answers, and his life began to gain meaning. Instead of destroying, he started building.

Over time, he realized that being an evil creature was not in his nature. He was not created to bring suffering, but to bring joy to those willing to see the good. Grax learned to live with himself and accepted that his life was now a path he chose to walk, not one forced upon him by others.

Moral: True strength lies not in destroying, but in changing the world around you and being kind, despite your nature.