The Ploughman and His Sons
Quick Answer
A hardworking father wants his sons to value effort, so he tells them there’s treasure hidden in the field. They dig and plough with all their strength—finding no chest of gold, but discovering the real reward: a rich harvest earned by work.
Why This Story Works for Bedtime
It’s calm and practical, with a reassuring sense of fairness. The ‘mystery’ is gentle, and the ending feels satisfying—work leads to good outcomes—making it a steady bedtime lesson without suspense.
Story at a Glance
RECOMMENDED AGES
6-10 years
READING TIME
3 min
Story Synopsis
A ploughman grows older and worries about his sons. They’re strong, but they don’t seem eager to work the land. He wants to teach them a lesson that will stay with them long after he’s gone. So he calls them close and tells them there is treasure buried somewhere in the family field. If they want it, they must search—carefully, thoroughly, and with their own hands. After he dies, the sons rush out to dig. They turn the soil again and again, breaking clods, pulling stones, and ploughing deeper than ever before. They find no box of coins or glittering jewels. For a moment, they feel disappointed. But then the season comes. Because the field has been worked so well, it produces an unusually generous crop. The sons finally understand: the ‘treasure’ was the harvest itself, and the skill of honest effort. It’s a quiet fable about inheritance, responsibility, and the kind of wealth that grows when you care for what you have.
Story Excerpt
A rich ploughman was growing old, and he could feel his strength fading like daylight at the end of a long workday. So he asked for his sons to come close to him, with no neighbors or friends in the room—only family. “My sons,” he said gently, “when you no longer have your father with you, guard well the land our fathers left us. Do not sell a single field.” The sons leaned in, listening. “There is a treasure hidden in it,” their father went on. “I cannot tell you the exact place, because I do not know it. But hard work will help you find it. The harvest is over now—so take your chance while the season is right.
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In One Glance
The Ploughman and His Sons is a fable in which a father tells his sons there is hidden treasure in the family field. After his death, they dig and plough everywhere but find no chest. Instead, the well-worked soil yields an abundant harvest. The story teaches that hard work is a lasting treasure and brings real rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
A father motivates his sons by promising hidden treasure, and they learn that hard work produces the real ‘treasure’—a good harvest.
No. It’s a calm fable focused on family and responsibility.
That effort and care create lasting rewards—often more valuable than quick riches.
Ages 5–11, especially for kids who like clear morals and everyday life stories.