Once upon a time there was a rat. He lived in a modest cottage with his wife and thirteen children. The greatest wealth he had, was an old, seedy violin inherited from his father. However, he was able to play it beautifully. Every morning he would take his violin and go to town, where he earned a few pennies by playing in the street. He bought food and went home. When he came back, his wife set the table and the children were laughing and embraced him at the threshold. Then they all sat in their little garden watching the sun going down and enjoying each other's company. It gave him strength. In the morning he woke up and went begging, playing wonderful music on his old violin. Of course, he dreamed of improving his lot but concurrently he was enjoying what he had and thanked for every given copper that fell into his hat. One day the rat got lucky. One of the donors threw a gold coin into his hat. The rat cried with happiness. He used the whole many to make his loved happy. He bought his children new clothes and toys, that they never even dreamed of, and a beautiful necklace for his wife. Just one-time happiness. But good fortune returned. The wealthy donor a so delighted with the play of the rat that appeared the next day. He told a story that when was a child, his parents had given him a beautiful new violin from a famous violin maker. He practiced hard but lacked the talent. The rat, however, received a real gift of music. Therefore, he wants to help him develop this gift. The donor offered the rat a performance at his home and financial support. The rat was ashamed of his lack of manners and modest dress but the ovation of the audience rewarded him everything. Invitations to performances flooded, money and honours appeared. The rat, with his family, started living in a big house, then in even bigger and bigger one. The last property he bought with the money he earned was so big that he basically didn't see his family anymore. He was gorging himself and became extremally lazy. He was neglecting his family. He was neglecting his violin. He had servants to work for hm now. He became idle and apathetic. He played concerts less and less because he couldn’t get a grip and do any work. Money began to run out because property and servants were expensive to maintain and the family got used to the luxury and comfort that cost a fortune. When he received a letter from the bailiff it came up with the idea that it was necessary to renew contact with his first donor, although he hadn’t even been interested in his health for years. He went to his house and immediately, without much ado, made an offer that he should organize a performance for him. The donor was pleased and agreed willingly. With tears in his eyes, he said that he was happy to see that one of his charges returned to him with thanks in the form of music and wanted to continue his work of selfless help.

“What? Asked the rat. “Organize a show for me for money. I need money because I'm running out of it. I lack it for an appropriate standard of living.”

“But I gave all my money to the needy”, explained the donor.

“Exactly, I am in need now!”

“Boy, you got a gift of fate, which I helped with the thought that someday you will share with others, helping them.”

"I don't care about helping, sharing my gift with others and that all your crap!" I want money! So I will only share music when it pays me off. If you have nothing to offer me, I'll take it as compensation!” shouting these words, the rat grabbed the beautiful violin of its donor.

When the news broke that the rat was in possession of the violin, he received several invitations to perform. Everyone expected that the music of such a virtuoso performed on such an instrument would move and soothe them. However, the rat's rude behaviour and the disrespect shown to everyone obscured the beauty of the music he played. Finally, his play started to deteriorate. The violin, in spite of the best quality, didn’t obey the new master, didn’t harmonize with him, didn’t convey good energy to the audience. People didn't want to hear the rat's music anymore. The show was over, money and splendour were over too. The rat was left alone in his large, mortgaged house. Nobody came when he called. His family abandoned him and unpaid service did the same. He was completely alone. He lost his gift and no one came to help him anymore.