Eli returned to the Great Library the next evening, the weight of Benjamin's tome heavy in his hands. Outside, Learnville buzzed with life — traders shouting about "sure bets" and "hot stocks," their voices like sirens luring sailors toward rocky shores.
Eli felt the pull. His heart raced at the thought of quick riches.But then Benjamin's words echoed in his mind:
"To invest, you must know what it means to gamble."
The old sage sat at his usual table, surrounded by scrolls of market history.
"Sit, Eli," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Today you'll learn the difference between an investor and a speculator. It's a fork in the road — one path leads to wealth, the other to ruin."
Eli leaned forward, eyes wide. "How do I know which path I'm on?"
Benjamin traced two figures into the dust on the table. One was a sturdy merchant, calculating with a steady hand.The other, a wild-eyed gambler, tossing coins to the wind.
"The investor," Benjamin began, pointing to the merchant,"is a builder. They ask: What is this worth? How long can I hold it? They study the roots of a business — its value, its strength. They don't buy because the crowd is cheering.They buy because the price is right."
He tapped the gambler's figure.
"The speculator chases the wind. They follow the cheers of the crowd, not the facts. They rarely look inward — and barely look forward. When the market fever breaks, so do their fortunes."
Eli thought of the traders outside, raving about a new mine that promised gold.
"But what if the mine is full of gold?" he asked.
Benjamin chuckled.
"It might be. But an investor doesn't bet on hope. They dig for truth — numbers, records, proof. If you feel the urge to chase that mine, set aside a small pouch, no more than five percent of your coins — what I call a 'mad money' purse. Let it be your playground. But never let it touch your true wealth. If it vanishes, you'll still stand tall."
Eli pictured it — a tiny velvet pouch for wild bets, safely apart from his sturdy chest of savings.
"So, I stay calm… and focus on value?" he asked.
"Exactly," Benjamin said. "The market is like a river. Sometimes it flows steady. Sometimes it rages. The investor sails with purpose, not panic. Tomorrow, we'll talk about the strength that keeps your boat steady — your temperament."
As Eli stepped out of the library, the traders' shouts seemed quieter. He clutched the tome tighter, heart steadier, ready for the next lesson.