Once upon a time in a small village named Serenidad, known for its serene and tranquil ambiance, lived an old wise man named Elder Eli. Elder Eli was beloved in his community and was often sought for advice on life's various quandaries. However, what people admired most about him was his perpetual state of joy. Despite the trials and tribulations life threw at him, he always seemed content, his smile was unyielding, and his laughter was infectious.

Intrigued by Elder Eli's perpetual happiness, a young man named Gabriel decided to seek his counsel. Gabriel had experienced the usual ups and downs of life. He had his fair share of happiness, but it always seemed fleeting. He struggled with the question that had haunted mankind for centuries: What was the true formula for happiness?

Approaching Elder Eli, Gabriel asked, "Elder, how do you maintain your happiness, regardless of life's challenges? Is there a formula for this seemingly elusive state of mind?"

Elder Eli paused, looking at Gabriel with a smile and said, "My dear boy, happiness is not a destination, it's a journey. It's not something you find, but something you cultivate."

Seeing Gabriel's puzzled expression, Elder Eli decided to explain further, "Imagine life as a garden. Each experience, each moment, is a seed. Some seeds grow into beautiful flowers, bringing joy and happiness. These are the moments of triumph, love, and success. Some seeds, however, grow into thorny bushes. They symbolize trials, failures, and disappointments. Yet, all plants, be they flowers or thorns, are essential for the garden's growth."

"But Elder," interrupted Gabriel, "Shouldn't we remove the thorny bushes to make room for more flowers?"

Elder Eli smiled, "Would you appreciate the flowers as much if the garden was filled only with them? It's the thorny bushes that make the flowers seem more precious. They create balance, and in that balance, we find beauty, we find peace, and ultimately, we find happiness."

He continued, "The formula for happiness lies not in avoiding the thorny bushes but in learning to appreciate their role in the garden of life. Happiness that 'falls into your lap' may seem delightful, but without understanding the balance, it may also be fleeting."

"The key," Elder Eli added, "is to accept all experiences, be they joyous or challenging, with grace and gratitude. You don't need a life free of trouble to be happy. What you need is the right perspective, resilience, and a heart full of gratitude."

Gabriel left Elder Eli with a new perspective. The formula for happiness wasn't about eternal bliss, but balance and acceptance. It was about appreciating the journey, thorns, and all, rather than waiting for the destination. For in every seed, be it of a flower or a thorny bush, there was potential for growth and learning.

And so, Gabriel walked away, realizing that his garden of life would always have its thorns and roses. He understood that the beauty of the garden did not lie in the absence of thorns but in the coexistence of both. That was the true formula for happiness: acceptance, resilience, and gratitude, through both the highs and lows of life. This story from Serenidad carries the wisdom that happiness is a journey, a delicate balance in life's garden, a balance that we all are capable of achieving.