Once upon a time, in a peaceful green village surrounded by hills and fields, there lived a young boy named Eli. Eli was a little farmer who helped his family every day. He fed the chickens, collected eggs, watered the vegetables, and made sure the animals were safe.
But even though Eli worked hard, he often complained.
“The mornings are too early,” he said.
“The work is too tiring,” he sighed.
“And the animals never stay quiet!”
One autumn morning, Eli refused to smile at all. Grandpa Farmer noticed this and gently said,
“Eli, today you will take care of the farm by yourself. But remember—listen carefully to everything around you.”
Eli didn’t understand, but he nodded.
As he walked through the fields, his boots sank softly into the soil. He noticed how the ground held the tiny seeds and kept them safe.
“Without you,” Eli whispered, “nothing would grow.”
For the first time, he said, “Thank you, soil.”
Soon, gray clouds covered the sky, and light rain began to fall. Eli wanted to complain—but instead, he watched the water feed the thirsty plants.
“Thank you, rain,” he said quietly.
Near the barn, the cow waited patiently to be milked, and the hens followed Eli as he spread their food. A small lamb bumped his leg and looked up at him with trusting eyes. Eli laughed and gently patted its head.
“Thank you for trusting me,” he said.
By the afternoon, Eli felt tired—but happy. He noticed the sun warming his back and the wind cooling his face. Everything seemed to be working together.
When Eli returned home, his family was setting the table for dinner. The food was simple, but it smelled wonderful. Eli looked at his parents and grandparents and felt something new in his heart.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For the farm, for the animals, for nature… and for our family.”
That evening, Grandpa Farmer smiled and said,
“Gratitude helps us see how rich we already are.”
From that day on, Eli still worked hard—but he no longer complained. He learned that when you say thank you, even the smallest farm can feel like the greatest place in the world.
And that is how a little farmer learned the biggest lesson of all—gratitude.