Simeli Mountain

In a valley nestled between towering peaks and rolling hills, there stood a mysterious mountain known to the local villagers as Simeli Mountain. It was called this because of its peculiar pointed shape that resembled a giant cone rising from the earth, but the mountain held secrets far greater than its unusual appearance suggested.

At the foot of this mountain lived two brothers who were as different as summer and winter. The elder brother, named Konrad, was a hardworking but poor man who made his living gathering wood from the forest and selling it in the nearby village. Though he had little in the way of material possessions, Konrad was content with his simple life and known for his honest dealings and kind heart.

The younger brother, Wolfgang, was quite different in temperament. He was ambitious and always looking for ways to acquire wealth without much effort. Wolfgang had tried many different trades - merchant, miller, even attempted to court wealthy widows - but none of his schemes had brought him the riches he craved.

“Brother,” Wolfgang would often complain to Konrad, “why are you satisfied with such a meager existence? There must be easier ways to gain wealth than chopping wood from dawn to dusk.”

Konrad would simply smile and reply, “Wolfgang, I have food on my table, a roof over my head, and honest work to fill my days. What more could a man need?”

But Wolfgang’s discontent only grew as the years passed, and he spent much of his time dreaming of discovering some great treasure that would make him rich beyond his wildest dreams.

One autumn day, as Konrad was gathering firewood on the slopes of Simeli Mountain, he heard the sound of voices echoing through the forest. Curious but cautious, he hid behind a large oak tree and peered through the underbrush to see who might be in such a remote location.

To his amazement, Konrad saw twelve men dressed in rough clothing and carrying large sacks. They appeared to be robbers or bandits, for their clothes were travel-worn and their mannerisms suggested they were accustomed to living outside the law.

The twelve men approached a sheer rock face on the side of Simeli Mountain, and their leader, a tall man with a black beard, stepped forward and called out in a loud, clear voice:

“Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, open wide!”

Konrad watched in astonishment as the solid rock face began to rumble and shake. Slowly, a great opening appeared in the mountainside, revealing a cave entrance large enough for the men to enter easily.

The twelve robbers disappeared into the mountain, carrying their heavy sacks with them. Konrad remained hidden, his heart pounding with excitement and fear. After what seemed like hours, the men emerged from the cave empty-handed, their sacks apparently left inside the mountain.

The leader once again stepped forward and called out:

“Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, close tight!”

The opening in the rock face slowly sealed itself, leaving no trace that there had ever been an entrance. The twelve men then departed, disappearing into the forest as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Konrad waited until he was certain the robbers were gone before approaching the rock face where the entrance had appeared. The surface looked completely ordinary - just solid stone covered with moss and lichens.

“Could I have imagined it all?” Konrad wondered aloud. But he was certain of what he had seen.

Remembering the exact words the robber leader had used, Konrad stood before the rock face and called out nervously:

“Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, open wide!”

To his amazement, the mountain responded just as it had before. The rock face rumbled and shook, and the great opening appeared, revealing the cave entrance.

Konrad hesitated for a moment, torn between curiosity and caution. But his honest nature convinced him that he should investigate what the robbers had been doing in the mountain.

He stepped carefully into the cave and found himself in a vast underground chamber lit by some mysterious source that made the walls gleam like crystal. The sight that greeted him took his breath away.

The cave was filled with treasure beyond imagination. Gold coins were piled in great heaps, silver vessels and jeweled cups lined stone shelves, and precious gems sparkled like stars in the strange light. Bolts of the finest silk and velvet were stacked along the walls, and chests overflowing with more riches than Konrad had ever dreamed of were scattered throughout the cavern.

“This must be where the robbers store their stolen goods,” Konrad murmured to himself. “All of this wealth was taken from innocent people.”

Despite the overwhelming temptation, Konrad’s honest nature prevented him from taking any of the large treasures. However, he reasoned that since this was stolen wealth, taking a small amount to help feed his family could not be entirely wrong.

He filled his pockets with a modest amount of gold coins - enough to buy food and necessities for several weeks, but not so much as to attract attention in the village.

When he was ready to leave, Konrad called out:

“Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, close tight!”

The cave entrance sealed itself, and Konrad hurried home with his discovery.

That evening, Konrad’s wife, Gerta, was amazed when her husband produced the gold coins.

“Konrad, my dear husband, where did these come from?” she asked in wonder.

Konrad told her the entire story of his discovery, and Gerta listened with growing excitement and concern.

“This is indeed a miracle,” she said, “but we must be very careful. If these are stolen goods, we could be in great danger if the robbers discover what you’ve done.”

“You’re right, my love,” Konrad agreed. “I will only take what we need for basic necessities, and I will be extremely cautious.”

For several weeks, Konrad returned periodically to the mountain cave, always taking only small amounts of gold and always being careful to ensure he wasn’t followed or observed. He and Gerta used the money wisely - buying better food, warmer clothing for the coming winter, and even sharing some of their good fortune with needy neighbors.

However, Wolfgang began to notice that his brother’s circumstances had improved considerably.

“Konrad,” Wolfgang said suspiciously one day, “you seem to have more money lately. Your wife wears a new dress, your children have better shoes, and I heard you gave money to old Widow Mueller for her rent. Where is this wealth coming from?”

Konrad tried to deflect his brother’s questions, but Wolfgang was persistent and observant. Finally, under intense questioning, Konrad revealed the secret of Simeli Mountain.

Wolfgang’s eyes blazed with greed as he listened to the story.

“Brother, you’ve been thinking too small!” Wolfgang exclaimed. “Why take only a few coins when there are chests full of treasure waiting for us? We could be rich beyond measure!”

“Wolfgang, please listen to reason,” Konrad pleaded. “We must be careful and modest in our approach. These robbers are dangerous men, and if they discover our intrusion…”

But Wolfgang’s mind was already racing with plans for wealth. “Tell me the exact words to open the mountain,” he demanded.

Reluctantly, Konrad told his brother the magic phrases, and also gave him careful instructions about being cautious and taking only small amounts.

The very next day, Wolfgang went to Simeli Mountain, called out the magic words, and entered the treasure cave. When he saw the vast wealth stored there, his eyes grew wide with an avarice that clouded his judgment entirely.

“Why should I settle for a few coins when I can have chests full of gold and jewels?” Wolfgang said to himself. “This is my chance to become the richest man in the region!”

Wolfgang began filling large sacks with treasure, taking far more than Konrad had ever dared to touch. He loaded himself down with gold, silver, precious gems, and fine fabrics until he could barely move under the weight of his stolen riches.

But in his excitement and greed, Wolfgang made a fatal error. When the time came to leave the cave, he had forgotten the exact words needed to open the mountain from the inside.

“Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, open up!” he called out. But nothing happened.

Growing panicked, Wolfgang tried various combinations: “Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, open wide!” “Simeli Mountain, Simeli Mountain, let me out!” “Open, mountain! Open!”

But none of these worked, for the magic required the exact words that the robbers used, and in his greed-induced excitement, Wolfgang had forgotten the precise phrase.

Hours passed, and Wolfgang found himself trapped in the cave with all the treasure he had tried to steal. His greed had literally become his prison.

Meanwhile, the twelve robbers returned to their cave to deposit more stolen goods. When their leader called out the magic words and the mountain opened, they were shocked to find Wolfgang inside, surrounded by sacks of treasure he had attempted to steal.

“What have we here?” the robber leader said in a voice like cold steel. “A thief who steals from thieves?”

Wolfgang tried to explain himself, but the robbers were not known for their mercy. They were furious that their secret hideout had been discovered and that someone had dared to steal from their carefully accumulated hoard.

The fate that befell Wolfgang served as a grim reminder that greed and disrespect for others’ possessions - even stolen ones - could lead to dire consequences.

When Wolfgang failed to return home, Konrad became worried and went searching for his brother. He found evidence that Wolfgang had visited Simeli Mountain, but by then it was too late to help him.

The robbers, now aware that their secret had been discovered, abandoned the cave and moved their operations to a different location. Simeli Mountain sealed itself permanently, never again responding to the magic words.

Konrad was filled with grief and regret over his brother’s fate. He blamed himself for revealing the secret, even though Wolfgang had pressured him relentlessly for the information.

“If only I had remained silent,” Konrad lamented to his wife. “My brother’s greed led to his downfall, but I provided the means for his destruction.”

Gerta comforted her husband with wisdom: “Konrad, you cannot control another person’s choices. You used the treasure wisely and modestly, sharing with those in need and taking only what was necessary. Wolfgang chose a different path, driven by greed rather than wisdom. His fate was the result of his own decisions, not yours.”

From that day forward, Konrad returned to his simple life of gathering wood and selling it in the village. He never again sought magical shortcuts to wealth, having learned that contentment and honest work were far more valuable than riches obtained through questionable means.

The story of Simeli Mountain became a cautionary tale told throughout the region, reminding people that greed can blind a person to wisdom and danger, while contentment and honesty lead to true security and peace.

Years later, when Konrad’s children asked him about the legend of the magical mountain, he would tell them:

“Remember, my dear ones, that wealth obtained through shortcuts and greed often comes with a price too high to pay. True riches are found in honest work, loving relationships, and the peace that comes from living with integrity. The greatest treasure is not gold or silver, but the trust of others and the satisfaction of a clear conscience.”

And indeed, Konrad lived the rest of his life as a wealthy man - not in gold or jewels, but in the respect of his community, the love of his family, and the contentment that comes from knowing he had chosen wisdom over greed when faced with the ultimate temptation.

The mountain stands there still, they say, holding its secrets tight and serving as a silent reminder that some doors, once closed by folly and greed, can never be opened again.

Moral: Greed blinds us to wisdom and danger, while contentment and moderation lead to true security and lasting happiness.