"Once upon a time, in a poor village, there lived a hardworking young man.
He came from a humble background, with little food or clothing, and he toiled day after day just to fill his stomach.
His greatest wish was simple: one day, he hoped to eat his fill and no longer suffer from hunger.
The young man firmly believed that only by being well-fed would he find happiness in life.
Every day, the diligent young man would go to the mountains to work.
One day, while on the mountain, he discovered a long-buried treasure filled with gold, jewels, and many precious items.
This discovery drastically changed his fate.
With the newfound wealth, the young man started a business and gradually accumulated even more riches, becoming the wealthiest person in the village.
Now, the young man no longer worried about food.
His table was always laden with delicacies.
After feasting, he felt content, but a new desire grew within him.
'Wealth is enough, but now I crave power.'
He no longer just wanted a wealthy life; he wanted control over the town and to influence more people.
He hoped to become not only the richest man but also the most powerful person in the town.
So, the young man joined the town's power struggle.
He used his wealth to bribe the town's powerful figures, traded money for supporters, and struck down those who opposed him.
His power grew, and soon everyone in town had to depend on him.
But as his power increased, so did the number of his enemies.
He became entangled in endless schemes and conflicts.
At first, the young man believed he could control everything.
He thought that as long as he continued to use his wealth and influence, he could suppress all opposition.
However, he underestimated the complexity of power.
The battle for power was not a game that could be easily won with money.
His enemies were growing stronger in the shadows, and the web of conspiracy tightened around him.
The young man became trapped in a whirlpool of power from which there was no escape.
Finally, one night, he was assassinated in his sleep.
His enemies had meticulously planned the assassination.
In the end, desire consumed his life."
The young priest closed the book in his hands.
He gently patted the head of the young deacon beside him, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Eugene, do you know where this story comes from?" the priest asked, his voice filled with both challenge and anticipation.
The young Eugene, his eyes bright with innocence and curiosity, answered without hesitation.
"It's from *The Sacred Words*, the fourth book *Enlightenment*, Father."
The priest nodded slightly, a look of approval flashing in his eyes.
"Very good, Eugene. You've done well."
He continued to gently pat Eugene's head, as if this simple gesture carried an endless amount of care and affection.
Eugene felt a wave of warmth and a shy smile crept across his face.
"Do you understand the lesson of this story?" the priest asked softly, his voice still full of gentle kindness.
Eugene lowered his head and thought for a moment, then slowly replied.
"At first, the young man only sought to fill his stomach, but as his wealth grew, so did his desires.
In the end, wealth and power did not bring him true happiness, but instead led to his downfall."
The priest's smile deepened.
He could see that Eugene was beginning to understand the moral behind the story.
However, he decided to guide Eugene further, leading him to think more deeply.
"You've answered well, Eugene.
But do you know why desire destroyed him?" the priest continued, his tone becoming more serious.
The young deacon lifted his head, his eyes gleaming with deep thought.
"Because he wasn't satisfied with what he had, and desire made him lose control of his life.
He was blinded by power and eventually lost himself."
The priest nodded, a satisfied expression on his face.
"Exactly. Desire in itself isn't evil, but when a person is consumed by it and loses their discernment, desire becomes a destructive force.
Wealth and power are only worldly illusions; true happiness and peace can only be attained through purity of heart and faith in God."
The young priest gazed at Eugene, his eyes filled with kindness and hope.
He knew that this young deacon had great potential, but he also knew that Eugene would face many temptations and challenges in the future.
"Remember this story, Eugene.
Wealth and power are fleeting illusions. Only your inner faith will protect you from being consumed by desire."
The young deacon nodded firmly, his expression resolute.
He vowed to remain forever loyal to his faith, aspiring to be as devout and steadfast as the priest.
The young priest smiled.
The young deacon was one of the most devout and respected in the church.
His soul was like an uncarved piece of white jade, pure and flawless, filled with reverence and loyalty to God.
The morning sunlight streamed through the high stained glass windows of the church, casting a glow on his small figure.
He was always the first to enter the church, kneeling before the statue to pray.
His forehead lightly touched the cold marble floor, his hands clasped together, his expression devout and focused.
There was no trace of distraction in his eyes, only endless reverence for God.
He repeated each prayer with such sincerity, as if every word came from the depths of his heart.
The young deacon was involved in every task within the church.
Whether it was cleaning the church, repairing the holy statues, or caring for the poor and needy, he never complained, always completing every task quietly and diligently.
His small hands, though covered with rough calluses from hard work, still handled every object with the utmost care and respect.
Whenever he touched the statue of God, his movements were always gentle and cautious.
He meticulously cared for every corner of the church, believing that this was his way of serving God.
The young deacon felt a special closeness to the poor and needy believers.
He believed that everyone, regardless of their wealth or poverty, was a child of God and deserved to be treated with kindness.
Whenever beggars approached the church doors, weary and dressed in rags, Eugene was always the first to greet them.
A warm smile spread across his face, and his eyes radiated endless sympathy and compassion.
He would personally offer his own food to those hungry beggars.
He even removed his own cloak to wrap it around those who trembled in the cold.
One day, an old beggar entered the church, emitting a foul odor and walking with difficulty.
While other deacons distanced themselves, Eugene unhesitatingly stepped forward.
With gentleness, he guided the old beggar to a seat on the church pew and knelt in front of him, patiently cleaning his dirt-covered feet.
There was not a trace of disgust in his eyes—only endless tenderness and mercy.
He believed that this was his true way of serving God.
Through his acts of kindness, he sought to alleviate the suffering of others.
The young deacon rose early every morning, kneeling in silent prayer before the church's sacred statues.
His voice was soft and reverent, as if he were whispering to God.
He never questioned his faith, nor did he waver in his loyalty to God.
He firmly believed that as long as he wholeheartedly served God, he would be granted inner peace and joy.
Whenever other deacons complained about the hardships of life or envied the luxuries of the outside world, Eugene listened quietly but never joined in.
He knew that as a servant of God, he must embrace a life of poverty, understanding that the desire for material wealth was a betrayal of faith.
He often reminded himself,
"Life is not meant for indulgence but for serving God and helping those in need."
However, when fate revealed its cruel side to him, his faith would face its most severe test.