Wednesday, December 17, 2014

30. Hitopadesh - The Old Husband And The Young Wife

Once upon a time in the place called Gauda there lived an old wealthy merchant named Chandanadasa.

The merchant was a widower and had no family. Though he was in decline of age, he decided to remarry.

In the town, there lived a poor man who had a daughter named Lilavati. She was young and beautiful. The merchant offered to marry the man's daughter. The poor man married away his daughter to the old merchant against her will.

The young wife was unhappy with her marriage. She was very disrespectful and kept away from the old man. Quite often she snubbed him. The old merchant was sad by her behavior, but kept with her.

One night, the wife saw a thief broke inside their house. She was sacred and rushed to her husband. The old man was surprised and embraced her, when suddenly the thief appeared before him.

The merchant saw the thief and said, “O stranger! I am thankful to you. It is because of you, my wife has embraced me since we got married. I allow you to take whatever you want”.

The thief said, “I shall not take anything because it is indeed a happy day for you. But if in future, your wife troubles you, I shall come.”

The wife heard the thief and sat quietly. The thief left without taking anything.

From that day onwards, the old merchant's wife became obedient and respectful towards him.


Moral: Sometimes you can benefit from your enemy’s actions.

No comments :

Post a Comment