One day, she asked each of her sons to bring her a gift from the forest. The first son brought her a bundle of sticks, the second son brought a handful of sand, and the third son brought a precious gemstone. The mother, seemingly disappointed with the gifts brought by her first two sons, praised the third son for his thoughtful gift.
The mother explained to her sons that the true value of a gift lies not in its monetary worth but in its usefulness. The bundle of sticks and the handful of sand, though seemingly insignificant, brought warmth and beauty to their lives. In contrast, the precious gemstone, though valuable, remained unutilized.
The story revolves around a mother, often referred to as "Wal Katha Sinhala Amma," who lived in a remote village in Sri Lanka. She was a kind and loving mother to her three sons, who grew up to be strong and brave young men. The mother, proud of her sons, wished to test their kindness, compassion, and wisdom.
In Sri Lankan culture, particularly in rural areas, there exist numerous folklores and stories passed down through generations. One such tale is that of "Wal Katha Sinhala Amma Putha," which translates to "The Three Sons of the Wal Katha Sinhala Mother." This story has been an integral part of Sri Lankan oral tradition, conveying valuable moral lessons.