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Once upon a time in a quiet Serbian village, there lived a humble farmer named Danjel. He was known for his kindness, honesty, and hard work. His life was simple but full of peace. Every morning he worked in the fields, tending to his crops, and every evening he prayed and thanked God for whatever little he had. But one year, misfortune struck. The rains stopped, the crops dried up, and Danjel had nothing left to feed his family. Days turned into weeks, and the hunger in his home grew unbearable.
One evening, as Danjel sat by the dying fire, he whispered in despair, “If only someone could help me, I’d give anything.” He did not know that his words would soon reach dark ears. That night, a shadow appeared at his door — a tall figure dressed in black, with glowing red eyes. It was the Devil himself. He spoke softly, “Danjel, I can give you wealth beyond your dreams. You will never know hunger again.” Danjel trembled with fear but listened carefully. The Devil continued, “All I ask in return is your soul — not now, but after seven years.” Danjel thought of his starving children and the suffering around him. Against his better judgment, he agreed.
The Devil smiled and handed him a small black bag. “Inside is enough gold to make you rich. But remember, after seven years, I will return.” Before Danjel could respond, the Devil vanished into thin air, leaving behind a smell of smoke. The next morning, Danjel opened the bag and found it full of shining gold coins. His heart raced. He used the money to buy food, repair his house, and help his neighbors. Soon, he became the richest man in the village. People admired his generosity, but Danjel always felt a shadow behind his happiness.
Years passed quickly. Danjel’s wealth grew, but so did his fear. As the seventh year approached, he became restless and could not sleep. He visited priests and holy men, begging for advice. One old monk listened to his story and said, “You made a deal with evil, but God’s mercy is greater than any trick. Do not run from him. Face him with faith.” Danjel thanked the monk, though he was unsure what to do. The night before the Devil was to come, he lit a candle and prayed with all his heart for forgiveness and protection.
At midnight, the Devil appeared once more, his eyes burning brighter than before. “Your seven years are done,” he said. “Now your soul is mine.” Danjel knelt before him and said, “Give me a moment to pray before I go.” The Devil laughed but agreed, thinking it would make no difference. Danjel began to pray aloud, calling on God to save him from evil. As he prayed, the light of his candle grew brighter, filling the room with warmth. The Devil snarled and stepped back. The more Danjel prayed, the weaker the Devil became. With a roar of rage, the Devil vanished, leaving behind only a faint smell of smoke.
But Danjel knew the Devil would not give up easily. He spent his days doing good deeds — feeding the poor, repairing churches, and helping travelers. He believed that by serving others, he was serving God. One day, while crossing the forest, the Devil appeared again, this time disguised as a poor man. He begged Danjel for food. Danjel, not recognizing him, shared his bread and water. The Devil smiled wickedly and revealed his true form. “You helped me, and now I will take you!” he shouted. But suddenly, a beam of light shone through the trees, and the Devil vanished once again. A gentle voice whispered, “Kindness defeats darkness.”
Danjel understood then that every act of love and goodness weakened the Devil’s power. From that day on, he decided never to use the gold again. He gave it all away to those who needed it more. His life became peaceful once again, but he never forgot the deal he had made. He still feared that the Devil might return someday. So he prayed every morning and night, trusting that God’s mercy would protect him. His faith grew stronger, and he became known as the wisest man in the village. People often came to him for advice, and he always said, “Never trade your soul for gold. The devil’s gift is never free.”
Years later, when Danjel grew old, the Devil appeared one last time. He was furious that he had been tricked for so long. “You have escaped me for too many years, Danjel,” he hissed. “Tonight, I will take you for sure.” Danjel looked at him calmly and said, “If God allows you to take me, then I am ready.” The Devil laughed and reached out, but as soon as he touched Danjel, his hand burned as if it had touched fire. The light from Danjel’s faith shone so bright that the Devil screamed and disappeared forever. From that night on, the villagers said that the Devil never came near their land again.
As Danjel’s final years passed, he lived simply, tending to his small garden and helping children learn the value of honesty and courage. He told them stories about right and wrong, good and evil, always ending with the same words: “Even the darkest shadow runs away from light.” When he died, the people buried him under a large oak tree, and many said they saw a faint glow around his grave at night — as if heaven itself was keeping watch.
Long after Danjel was gone, travelers who passed through the village would hear the tale of the man who outwitted the Devil through faith and kindness. They would stop by the old oak tree, whisper a prayer, and feel a strange comfort in their hearts. Some said they even saw a figure of a man in simple clothes smiling at them before vanishing into the light. And so, Danjel’s story became a lesson for everyone — that no matter how poor or desperate one may be, making a deal with evil never leads to peace. Only goodness and faith can bring true freedom.
The Devil’s pride was his downfall, for he could not understand how a poor man’s heart could be stronger than all his power. And in the end, the simple farmer Danjel proved that courage and kindness could defeat the darkest forces in the world. His name lived on for generations, spoken with respect and love, as the man who taught that faith is the greatest treasure one can ever own.