Valuable Earnings - By S. Shashika Madushani

Written By: S. Shashika Madushani

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the enchanting narrative "Valuable Earnings," S. Shashika Madushani weaves a tale of creativity and fortune. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this short story delves into the life of Heshan, a young boy with an extraordinary talent for creating wooden masterpieces inspired by his dreams. His journey is one of kindness, perseverance, and wonderful serendipity, set against the backdrop of his imaginative spirit.

About the Work

"Valuable Earnings" is a heartwarming short story that captures the essence of imagination and kindness. Through vivid imagery and magical elements, S. Shashika Madushani explores themes of creativity, generosity, and the unexpected rewards of selflessness. The narrative is imbued with a fairy-tale aura, inviting readers into a world where dreams come to life and good deeds are met with unexpected fortune.

Valuable Earnings

Original Submission by S. Shashika Madushani

Valuable Earnings

Long time ago there was a young boy called Heshan, who was a very talented for making different types of wooden creations. He made these creations by studying his dreams. He had a born talent to think differently. So since in his childhood, he draw some beautiful pictures.

His mother and father couldn’t imagine his drawings. He had drawn so many unbelievable drawings. Some drawings had people. Flying People, Flying Children, walking birds, and Visible Gods in the earth. Magical Elephants, Talking Sea, Flying Elephants, Walking buildings, working trees etc.

The boy called Heshan was an out of box thinker. His teachers and parents identified him like that.

One day there was a competition in the school.

The competition name was “Creative Thinker”.

Every pupil in the school has participated to that competition. They planned to create different new beautiful household items. Some made wooden items. Some made items using Iron. Some tried to make cloth materials.

Poor Heshan didn’t have money to create his new competition creation. So he thought thought and thought long hours and day by day to find money to purchase some inputs.

“Father, can I have some money to buy some paints for my creation”? Heshan asked.

“My dear son, at this moment I don’t have money, after two three weeks ago my debtor will return the money, then I can give you the money”. His father said.

Then one of Heshan’s friend came to him ask for a drawing.

“Heshan Aiya my sister asks for a beautiful garden drawing, if you can please draw me a beautiful garden. I’ll pay you”. The boy said.

Heshan agreed to draw a beautiful garden, and he has drawn a beautiful garden with lots of beautiful flowers, colorful animals, angels he has drawn in the drawing very creatively.

The boy was surprised and he asked Heshan how much he would have to pay for the garden drawing.

Heshan said ,

“No dear No. No need more money for this just only Rs. 50/- is enough for me”.

The boy was surprised, but he promised to heshan he will be for him forever as he helped him for her sister’s drawing.

So Heshan made a good friend for his life.

Still he didn’t have more money for his creations.

One day a disabled man was begging on the road. He was a blind man, even the man couldn’t speak. He wore old shirt which had holes everywhere. He asked for money, food. He sat on a tree near the temple.

Heshan saw him, and worried about him a lot. But he couldn’t help him as he doesn’t have any enough money. So He watched him daily when he was arriving to the school.

One day he thought for something. He caught up a parrot from the jungle near the village and gifted to the old blind, man then he said the man,

“My dear uncle, this parrot is for you he can talk like a man, he will help you to save you money from the thieves”. The old poor man told him,

“My dear son, Thank you for your kindness, come here I’ll teach you magic words, it will bring the fortune for your life if you use it in the correct place in the correct time”.

Heshan was happy. He thanked to the man.

Heshan was a hard worker. He helped his father lot. His father’s fried loved him as a son very much. He saw Heshan’s hard working and told him,

“Son, can you come to help me for my garden work” ?

Heshan said, “Ok Uncle, I’ll come to help you”.

Then he went his home early morning. Then he cleaned the garden within one hour’s time. When Heshan touch the flower plants, flower plants grew higher by higher and blow flowers on the every branches. He was wondered. But he was happy and then asked from the old man how was it happened.

The old man said I saw your kind heart, so I gifted you this power. I’m a magician. When you touch plant the plant was grew fast and will give the harvest fast.

Heshan said, “Thank you for your kindness”.

One day Heshan’s father told him to go to the market and bring some fruits and vegetables for their lunch.

When Heshan go to the market he saw a poor, thirsty child. The child was crying for some food. Heshan dosent’t have more money as he had money only for the fruits and vegetables. But he thought to bring some food for the poor little boy.

Heshan went to the market. Then He saw that a free of charge food stall. It was a promotion stall, but that day they gave the food for free of charge. So, Heshan bought some food for the poor little boy from that stall. The boy said,

“Thank you brother”.

After some days ago, a woman came to see Heshan in his dream. She was that poor little boy’s mother. She came to Heshan’s dream and said,

“My dear son, you helped my poor little son, so I show you the way to find the money to make your creation”.

“My dear Son, go to the middle of the jungle, you can find a treasure under the cave in the jungle, go to the middle of the cave then a parrot show you the way to the treasure”.

On the next day, Heshan went to the jungle, he went far as far in the jungle. Then he saw the magical cave in the jungle. That cave was only visible to the luckiest persons in the jungle. Heshan went inside of the cave. Then the parrot shouted.

“Heshan… Heshan….. Tell me where are you going..”?

“Heshan said, my dear parrot I came to find the treasure, I want that to find more money to make my creativity soon to show in the competition”.

The parrot said… mm….ok….. I can show you the way to find that, but first you have to tell me the secret word.

Heshan said… “It is Heshan”.

Parrot said. “No you’re wrong. Then he said… It is Love…”

Parrot said… “No again you’re wrong. Then he said. “The secret word is “Treasure”

Parrot said… “Ha….Ha.. This time you’re correct… there is the treasury… go and take it”.

Heshan was very happy… he went home with the treasure. There were loads of gold coins, gems jewelers and a card.

The card includes this writing.

******Dear owner of this treasure,

Don’t sell this treasury to anyone, only you have to do this, if you want money.

Just tell to the treasure..

“Dear treasury please fill my cupboard with the biggest value of coins and Notes in the world..’’*****

Heshan done as what the card included. Then he became the richest boy in the village.

Now he has lots of money to make his creation.

He made an magical House which made bigger than bigger when the people come to live in that house and filled with food, clothes and other household items that need to the people come to live in that house. Poor people in the village lived in that house very comfortable and happy. Heshan rebuild the temple in the village. He rebuilds the school of the village and he has done more good works to the country by making his creative equipments.

When Heshan went far away from his village he always said the magical word the blind person taught to him “Shelter and food” when he said that word for three times Heshan could get the shelter and the food very soon.

So he became the luckiest boy in the world who earned more valuable earnings to his life.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary talent from around the world. It offers writers a chance to showcase their creative prowess across various genres, connecting them with a global audience. This competition seeks to uplift diverse voices and foster a community of passionate storytellers.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to S. Shashika Madushani for sharing "Valuable Earnings" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your story of Heshan's journey is a beautiful reminder of the power of creativity and kindness. We hope it inspires many others to pursue their dreams with the same passion and generosity.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.