The Game of Balance is based on a short story from The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho.

A boy travels a great distance to meet the wisest man in the world, hoping to learn the secret of happiness.

The palace of the wise man was vast and filled with people. Many of them, just like the boy, had come from far away to listen to the wisdom of this man.

Finally, after hours of waiting, the boy was allowed to meet the wise man.

“Good day, honourable sir. After many miles, I have come to ask you one question.”

“Go ahead, son,” said the wise man. “Ask away.”

“How may one discover the secret to happiness?”

“Hmmm…” mumbled the wise man.
Before I answer your question, I have a request.

He reached to his left and grabbed a spoon from a cup of tea that stood on a table beside his chair. From the same table, he took the teapot and poured a few drops of tea onto the spoon.

“Here, take this spoon,” the wise man said, looking straight at the boy.

“Walk around my palace and come back in two hours. Be careful not to spill a single drop of my favourite tea.”

It was an unexpected request, but the boy liked the challenge. So he accepted and went on his way.

Two hours passed, and the boy returned to the wise man, his eyes still fixated on the spoon.

“Well done,” said the wise man. “I see you managed to come back with the tea.”

The boy smiled contentedly.

“Before I answer your question,” the wise man continued, “tell me, have you seen the Persian handmade tapestries in the main hall?”

“No, sir.”

“What about the hanging gardens in the courtyard?”

“No, sir.”

“It took a master gardener ten years to complete,” the wise man said softly, shaking his head.

“Perhaps you caught a glimpse of the grand library, filled with stories from all over the world?”

“I did not,” said the boy with a sigh.

“That’s too bad,” the wise man replied. “I suggest you walk around the palace again and see the treasures this place has to offer.”

The boy bowed his head in respect and went on his way.

He discovered the intricate details of the tapestries, immersed himself in the lush green vegetation of the hanging gardens, and read the most beautiful stories in the grand library.

Another two hours passed, and the boy returned, his heart full of wonder.

“So?” asked the wise man. “What do you think?”

“It was incredible! I’ve never seen so many treasures in one place.”

“It pleases me to hear that you had a good time,” said the wise man.

“But,” he added, “where is the tea on your spoon?”

The boy looked down at the spoon still held in his hand and noticed that the tea was gone.

The wise man smiled and said,
“The secret of happiness is to experience the marvels of the world, while not losing sight of the tea on your spoon.”