Once upon a time, in a lush, green forest filled with towering trees and chattering animals, there lived a little squirrel named Milo. Milo was a cheerful and hardworking squirrel, always busy gathering acorns for the winter. He had a cozy little nest high up in an oak tree, and he loved to watch the sun set over the forest while munching on his favorite snack—acorns.
But Milo had one tiny flaw: he was a little too greedy. No matter how many acorns he collected, it never seemed enough. While other squirrels were content with a modest stash, Milo wanted more, more, and more. He would scamper from tree to tree, stuffing his cheeks until they bulged, and still, he felt unsatisfied.
One crisp autumn morning, as Milo was scurrying through the forest, he stumbled upon something extraordinary. Beneath the oldest, grandest tree in the forest lay a golden acorn. It shimmered in the sunlight, as if it had been dipped in liquid gold. Milo’s eyes widened with excitement. He had never seen anything so beautiful—or so valuable.
“This acorn will make me the richest squirrel in the forest!” Milo thought, his heart racing. He picked it up carefully, feeling its warmth in his paws. But as soon as he did, a soft, glowing light surrounded him, and a gentle voice echoed in his ears.
Milo blinked in surprise. A magical acorn? A wish? His mind raced with possibilities. He could wish for a mountain of acorns, a palace made of nuts, or even endless sunshine so he’d never have to worry about winter. But the voice’s warning lingered in his mind. Greed is a curse, it had said. Milo shook his head. Surely, that didn’t apply to him. He was just a little squirrel who wanted to be comfortable.
Ignoring the voice, Milo made his wish. “I wish for an endless supply of acorns!” he declared.
The golden acorn glowed brighter, and in an instant, Milo’s nest was overflowing with acorns. They spilled out of his home, tumbling down the tree and piling up on the forest floor. Milo squealed with delight. He had never seen so many acorns in his life! He began to eat and eat, stuffing himself until he could barely move. But no matter how many acorns he ate, the pile never seemed to shrink.
At first, Milo was thrilled. He invited his friends over to share in his bounty, but soon, he began to worry. What if someone stole his acorns? What if they ran out? His greed took over, and he started hoarding the acorns, refusing to share with anyone. He built walls around his nest, blocking out his friends and the beautiful forest he once loved.
Days turned into weeks, and Milo grew lonelier and unhappier. His nest was cramped and overflowing, and he could no longer enjoy the simple pleasures of life—like climbing trees, playing with his friends, or watching the sunset. The endless pile of acorns had become a prison.
Tears filled Milo’s eyes. “I just wanted to be happy,” he whispered. “But now I’m more miserable than ever.”
The voice softened. “Happiness isn’t found in having more, Milo. It’s found in sharing, in kindness, and in appreciating what you already have.”
Milo realized the truth in those words. He had been so focused on gathering more that he had forgotten what truly mattered. With a heavy heart, he made a new wish. “I wish for my forest to be filled with enough acorns for everyone, so no one ever has to go hungry.”
The golden acorn glowed one last time, and the endless pile of acorns vanished. In its place, the forest was filled with healthy, bountiful trees, each bearing plenty of acorns for all the animals. Milo’s nest returned to its cozy, modest size, and his friends came rushing back, their laughter filling the air.
From that day on, Milo was a changed squirrel. He still worked hard to gather acorns for the winter, but he no longer let greed control him. He shared his food with others, played with his friends, and took time to enjoy the beauty of the forest. And every evening, as he watched the sun set over the treetops, he felt truly happy—not because he had everything, but because he had enough.
