Future Wealth Builders

From Curiosity to Currency: How Ali Made History His Business

Hello and welcome to today’s Persian story.

In the peaceful town of Pasargadae, nestled not far from the modern city of Shiraz in Persia (Iran), lived a curious and ambitious 16-year-old teenager named Ali Jafari. His family owned a small carpet stall in the town's historic market, but business had been slow for months. Tourists came to see the sights, yes—but no one lingered long enough to buy. Sitting beside his grandfather one cool evening, Ali complained, “I wish I could just make money like those guys in the city.” His grandfather smiled, sipped his tea, and said:

“Money is not something you run after. Solve a problem, and money will run after you.”

Those words struck a deep chord in Ali’s heart. That night, he stayed up thinking. The next day, Ali did something he’d never done before—he walked around town, not just as a local, but like a detective looking for clues. That’s when he noticed the tourists—backpackers, families, history lovers—all wandering around, confused, flipping through outdated maps and guidebooks. Ali saw a clear need: No one was showing them the beauty of Pasargadae through the eyes of someone who lived there.

So, he made a bold decision: he would become a local English-speaking tour guide. But first, he needed to learn. He searched online for free language lessons, watched documentaries, and read history books about his town. He practiced daily with his little sister as his “tourist.” And then came step two: Find a mentor. He approached Mr. Mehran, a retired tour guide known for his charm and knowledge. Though skeptical at first, Mr. Mehran agreed to teach Ali after seeing his determination. “You’ve got fire, boy,” he said. “Let me help you use it right.”

Armed with knowledge and guidance, Ali offered his first tour. He took a young French couple to the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, explaining not just the structure but its powerful history: “This is where one of the greatest emperors of the ancient world rests. He believed in freedom of religion—centuries before it became common.” They strolled through the Sacred Precinct, the Tall-e Takht (Throne Hill), and even the ruins of ancient palaces, where Ali described the once-glorious ceremonies of the Achaemenid Empire. His guests were stunned—not just by the sites but by the stories, his passion, and the personal touch he added. They paid him $20 for a 2-hour tour, and left a $10 tip, saying, “We would’ve paid triple for this!”.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23 MSG

[22-23] In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—this fulfilled the message of God preached by Jeremiah—God moved Cyrus king of Persia to make an official announcement throughout his kingdom; he wrote it out as follows: “From Cyrus king of Persia a proclamation: God, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has also assigned me to build him a Temple of worship at Jerusalem in Judah. All who belong to God’s people are urged to return—and may your God be with you! Move forward!”

https://bible.com/bible/97/2ch.36.22-23.MSG

By the end of the month, Ali had earned over $300—a small fortune for a teenager in his town. He used part of it to print flyers, buy a modest bicycle, and invest in better clothes for his tours. But what stood out most was his discipline. His financial education—thanks to free resources and Mr. Mehran’s mentorship—kept him grounded. “If I didn’t learn this stuff,” Ali told his friends, “I would’ve wasted it on the latest sneakers. Now, I’m building something bigger than that.”

His story spread. Soon, even the local mayor invited Ali to speak to students about youth entrepreneurship. Ali ended his talk with these powerful words etched into everyone’s memory:

Financial Education is Your Superpower – The earlier you begin, the better you become.
Find a Mentor – Someone wise who has walked the path you want to take.
Solve a Problem – Look around you. Someone’s pain could be your opportunity.

Delay the Flash, Build the Future – Don't spend to impress, invest to grow.

Teenagers in Port Elizabeth, Lagos, Mumbai, or Johannesburg—wherever you are, this is your moment. Like Ali, you too can build value, start small, and make a real difference. Money isn’t the goal. Impact is. And once you focus on impact, money will find you.