In the heart of the Savannah, under the wide blue skies and tall acacia trees, lived an old elephant named Wabo. His ears were large like woven fans, and his steps were slow but sure. The animals called him “Baba Wabo”, for he was the wisest of them all.

One day, the young animals gathered beneath the baobab tree, chattering about what it meant to be rich.

“I want coins like Crocodile!” shouted Cheza the Monkey, swinging from a branch.

“I want a house as tall as Giraffe’s!” said Mosi the Meerkat, eyes sparkling.

“I just want endless bananas,” grinned Nia the Baby Hippo, rolling on her back.

Baba Wabo laughed a deep belly laugh, the kind that rumbled like thunder after rain.

“My children,” he said, “you think riches are only what shines. But let me tell you about real wealth — the kind that lasts through storms and seasons.”

The little ones huddled closer.

“Time” 

“Once,” Wabo began, “there was Tamu the Tortoise, who never rushed. Every morning, she took her walk at sunrise. She watched the birds fly and the grass dance in the wind. She was never too busy to notice the world. Tamu taught us the first wealth: Time. Use your time well. Do not always run, or you’ll miss the gifts of the day.”

“Friendship” 

“Then came the Weaver Birds, who built their nests side by side. When one lost a branch, the others shared. When one chick fell, all squawked in worry. That’s Social Wealth — friendship, love, and family. If you are rich in friends, you are never truly poor.”

“The Leopard’s Mind”

“Now listen to the tale of Lela the Leopard,” Wabo continued, lowering his voice. “She sat on hills, thinking before she leaped. She wrote her dreams in the sand and trained her mind to be still. That is Mental Wealth — the power to think clearly and to dream wisely. Protect your mind like treasure.”

“The Lion’s Strength”

“The fourth wealth is your body,” Wabo said, stretching his old legs. “Once, young Simba the Lion wanted to be king. But first, he ran with the wind, climbed the rocky cliffs, and learned to rest under the stars. Physical Wealth is your strength and health. If your body is well, your journey will be long.”

“The Honey of the Bees”

“And yes,” Wabo nodded, “there is money — what we call Financial Wealth. Look at the Honey Bees. They save a little nectar each day. They don’t take more than they need. And when hard times come, they have honey to eat. Save, give, and spend with care. That is how money becomes a blessing, not a burden.”

The young animals sat in silence, eyes wide like the moon.

“So you see,” said Baba Wabo, rising slowly, “real wealth is not just coins or fruit or fancy nests. It is in your time, your friends, your thoughts, your strength, and yes, your money too. Grow them all — and you will walk like royalty, no matter how small you are.”

And with that, the old elephant turned back toward the hills, his shadow long in the golden sun.

The little ones stayed under the baobab, not playing, not shouting — just thinking.

They were still young, but they were already rich.