greybeta | The Most Foolish Traveler in the World

Once upon a time, there was this foolish traveler who had gone on a journey. Why was he foolish? Because he was fooled by everyone he met. Everywhere he went, everyone made up all kind of sad stories to tell him. Pretty soon, his money, his clothes, even his shoes had been cheated away from him. But the foolish traveler was always glad to help saying the same thing, “I wish you happiness.” By this time, the traveler was completely naked, with nothing to cover himself. He decided to leave the main road and travel through the dense forest, where no one could see him. But soon, he was discovered by the goblins in the woods. They wanted to eat the traveler’s body, so they begged and pleaded and used kind words to try trick him. Once again the traveler was fooled. At first, he allowed them to eat one of his legs, then an arm, then more and more. Before it was over, all the traveler had left was his head. He had even given his eyes away to the goblins. As that lost goblin was eating the traveler’s eyes, he turned and said, “Thank you, traveler. In return, I leave you this present.” What he left was a slip of paper with the word “fool” written on it. The traveler couldn’t see it, he didn’t even know what it was. Even so, tears began to flow down his face. “Thank you” he said, “This is the first present that anyone’s ever given me. I’m so happy, thank you.” Even without his eyes, he cried and cried great tears of joy. Then, the traveler died, the smile still on his own face.

A story told in the anime Fruits Basket, telling the dangers of sacrificing one's self too much.