The Boy and the Magical Pocket: A Turkish Tale of Magic and Wishes

Summary: A Turkish folk tale about a boy who found a magical pocket that fulfilled wishes. The story teaches children responsibility, wisdom, and how to appreciate what they have.

In a faraway village lived a boy named Ali. He was kind but often complained that he had nothing. His family was poor, and Ali dreamed of wealth and an easy life. “If I had gold, I’d be happy,” he said every day while sitting under an old oak tree.

One day, Ali went into the forest to collect firewood. Among the trees, he saw an old man with a long white beard. The man looked tired and asked the boy, “Help me, kind boy. I haven’t eaten in a long time and can’t go any further.”

Ali gave the man the piece of bread his mother had packed for him. “Take it, Grandfather. I’ll find something else, and you can rest,” he said. The old man ate the bread and smiled. “You are kind and generous. For this, I will give you a magical pocket. Whatever you wish for will appear in it. But remember: use it wisely.”

With these words, the old man disappeared, and Ali found himself holding a small but sturdy pocket. At first, the boy didn’t believe the pocket was magical. He whispered, “I want an apple,” and immediately felt something round in the pocket. It was a big red apple!

Excited, Ali began wishing for more and more. He asked for gold coins, sweets, and even fine clothes. The pocket fulfilled all his wishes. Ali returned home with riches, and his family was astonished at how he had found them. Ali lied, saying he had helped a merchant who rewarded him.

With each passing day, Ali grew greedier. He no longer wanted to work and spent all his time thinking about what to wish for next. But one day, the pocket stopped fulfilling wishes. The boy became worried and shook it, but the pocket remained empty.

Desperate, Ali returned to the old oak tree and found the same old man. “Why has the pocket stopped working?” he asked. The old man replied, “The pocket can grant wishes, but its power is limited. You used it only for yourself and forgot about others. Magic returns to those who share.”

The boy reflected on this. He realized that everything he had gained hadn’t brought him true happiness. From that day on, he decided to use his gifts to help others. He shared the gold with the poor, bought food for the hungry, and supported his family.

The pocket became magical again, but Ali no longer abused its power. He understood that true happiness lies not in wealth but in the ability to make the world a better place. From then on, the village prospered, and Ali became an example for everyone.

Moral of the Story: This story teaches that greed and selfishness lead to emptiness, while generosity and good deeds bring true happiness.

Questions about the Story:

• How did Ali receive the magical pocket?
• Why did the pocket stop granting wishes?
• What important lesson did Ali learn by the end of the story?