In a small town near the river, there lived a man named Tariq. He was a simple food seller who sold fried rice at the corner of a busy street. Every morning, he pushed his small cart with a smile and a loud voice:
“Hot fried rice! Fresh and tasty!”
Tariq’s life was hard, but he was kind and worked very hard. His fried rice was good, but many people sold the same food. He earned just enough to buy rice, oil, and some vegetables for the next day. His clothes were old, and his shoes had holes. But he always smiled.
One day, something strange happened.
A rich man stopped by his cart. He wore a black suit, shiny shoes, and dark glasses. He looked serious.
“Is this your cart?” the man asked.
“Yes, sir. I make the rice myself,” said Tariq.
The man bought one plate, tasted it slowly, and nodded. “Hmm. Not bad. I’ll come again.”
From that day, more and more people came to Tariq’s cart. Every day, his line got longer. He started making more money. First, he changed his clothes. Then he bought a bigger cart. After one month, he had two helpers and even printed a sign: “Tariq’s Famous Fried Rice”.
People talked about him everywhere. They said, “Tariq’s rice has something special.” Some said it was magic rice.
Tariq smiled but said nothing. He liked hearing those words.
After three months, he moved into a better house. He bought a motorcycle. He laughed with his friends at the tea shop and said, “Luck has finally come to me!”
But one night, his old neighbor, Fadil, asked, “Tariq, tell me the truth. How did your life change so fast?”
Tariq laughed nervously. “Hard work, Fadil. That’s all.”
But it was not true.
The Secret Ingredient
When the rich man first visited Tariq’s cart, he did not just taste the rice. He gave Tariq a small glass bottle with dark powder inside.
He said, “Add just a little of this to your rice. People will love it. But be careful. Never taste it yourself. And never tell anyone.”
Tariq was confused, but he was also poor and desperate. That night, he cooked rice and added a small pinch of the powder. The smell became strong and sweet. The next day, people loved it. And they came back again and again.
Tariq started using the powder every day. He noticed something strange — if he added more, people seemed hungry again just one hour later. Even if they were full, they returned.
Soon, customers acted strangely. They argued to get a plate. Some came twice a day, even when they had no money. One man said, “I sold my watch just to eat your rice again.”
Tariq started earning too much money. He didn’t care where the powder came from anymore.
A Visitor in the Night
One rainy evening, someone knocked on Tariq’s door. It was a young woman in a white coat.
“Are you Mr. Tariq?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“I’m a doctor. I’ve seen five people come to my clinic with stomach pain. They all said they ate at your cart.”
Tariq looked nervous. “My food is clean!”
She looked at him with calm eyes. “Please stop for one day. Let me test your rice. I don’t want to report anything… not yet.”
Tariq closed the door slowly. He didn’t listen.
That night, he looked at the glass bottle. It was half empty now. He never knew what it was. It had no label, no smell, and no warning. But it had made him rich.
He smiled and put more of the powder in the rice.
The Fall
One week later, things changed.
A news reporter came to the market. He said, “Many people are getting sick. Some say it’s the food.” He asked questions. Took photos. Asked for samples.
The next day, police came.
Tariq tried to run, but they caught him. They searched his cart and found the bottle.
The powder was tested in a lab. It was a chemical used in animal feed — something that made animals feel hungry again and again. It was banned for humans.
Tariq’s license was canceled. His cart was taken. His money frozen. He went to jail.
Regret
In his small cell, Tariq sat alone.
He thought about his old life. It was hard, yes, but he had peace. Now he had no money, no business, and no name. People in town cursed him. His friends disappeared.
One day, Fadil came to visit.
“You were lucky, Tariq,” he said. “But you used your luck the wrong way.”
Tariq nodded. His eyes were empty.
He whispered, “I just wanted a better life.”
Fadil stood up. “Then build it with clean hands next time.”
Epilogue
Years later, the fried rice cart was gone. But people still told the story of Tariq — the man who became rich too fast, and lost everything.
Some said he used black magic. Others said he was a victim of greed. But everyone agreed: easy success can be dangerous if you forget what is right.
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