Long ago a man lived in a village called Aaruuru. He was the headman of that village. Practically, he never did any work for his family. That is, in his family affairs he was an irresponsible person. But, nonetheless he wore the maNDare (Badaga headgear) in such a way to look nice and wrapped himself with siile (white mantle with blue and red lines), to suit his headmanship and went out daily. He used to brag about his costume and himself. His talkative skill was such that he could talk about anything without any least hesitation. He was being very boastful and he was never willing to admit that he was wrong. But his wife was a wonderful noble woman. She was an excellent housewife and a good host. Many appreciated her hospitality. Her tolerance was phenomenal and praise worthy. Otherwise, how could she lead a life with that headman? The entire family affairs were maintained by this lady. Of course, she was a skillful lady. At times, even though nothing was available in their house, she tried to her utmost to keep their honour by offering at least something to the guests. Guests were frequent to their house due to her husband’s leadership. He himself too, without considering whether anything was available at house or not, he took some guests along with him often. But that lady somehow managed and she could offer something to the guests. She would not leave any guests without taking anything in their house.
There lived a rich man in Kundhe and he was the headman of that village. He was a prosperous farmer. He had enough cattle wealth too. Whatever work he took, he did with full care. He would not leave anything to be wasted. We can say that, indeed due this quality he became rich. One day the Aaruuru headman and few of his friends were talking about the richness of the Kundhe headman and they wanted to see the Kundhe headman’s wealth personally. According to their plan, one day the Aaruuru headman and his friends went to Kundhe. At that time, in the front yard of the Kundhe headman’s house people were threshing barely ears and few barley grains scattered all around. Kunde headman was collecting those scattered grains one by one with his hand. When these Aaruuru people saw this they commented among themselves that people were telling this man as a rich but he is collecting the meager scattered grains. Really is he rich? The Kundhe man heard this comment, but feigned as if not heard and he welcomed them, and enquired about their well beings. He took the Aaruuru people inside his house and they were discussing some common matters for some time. Then, it was dinner time. The Kundhe headman’s wife gave them hot water to wash their hands and legs. They all washed their hands and legs. After that they paid their prayer in front of a lighting lamp. They applied sacred ashes to their forehead and sat for dinner.
The Aaruuru people were so hungry and they felt to eat something immediately. At that time Kunde headman kept a golden share on a brass plate and placed it in front of them. In the nicely washed brass plate the golden share was shining like a glowing charcoal. The Aaruuru people didn’t understand the meaning of this act and they were staring each other. At that moment the Kunde headman said “even though one is rich he cannot eat money. We have to eat only food. There will be no food if there is no grain. Grain is our god. So. it is unaccepted to god if we waste grains just like that. Due to that only I collected the scattered grains. I heard what you talked. I wanted you to know this matter. So I kept the golden share in the eating plate. Now you can eat”. The Aaruuru people agreed that what they talked was wrong. Besides this, by seeing the golden share, now they understood the richness of this man. Afterwards what they would talk? They became silent.
After that, the house lady served them meal and they ate to their contentment without any hesitation. They were satisfied with the sumptuous meal served. But, at the same time they felt their dignity lowered in front of the Kundhe headman by their own comment. When about to leave the Kundhe house, one of the Aaruuru men said “is it not the golden share of Kunde headman a little bit smaller than ours?” Another man said “yes yes”. If it is so, it means that Aaruuru people were having a bigger golden share than the Kunde man’s. The Kunde man thought that they might have a bigger golden share. In fact, Aaruuru people had nothing of that sort.
After some time, one day Kundhe headman went to Aaruuru to meet those people. Straight away he went to the Aaruuu headman’s house. At that time that headman was not in his house. As usual he went somewhere else. His wife was at home. She welcomed this gentleman. But, to offer something to this man, in their house nothing was there. That woman thought that he is a rare guest and also came from faraway place. He might feel much hungry. It is said that he is rich. So, leaving him without offering anything is no good. She pondered for some time. To tide over the situation she got an idea. In their backyard there were plenty of mustard plants. She went there and cut the tender stems of those plants. Took off the outer rind, boiled and mashed it to pulpy state. She borrowed small butter from the neighbor’s house and served it to that Kunde headman. He ate that to his contentment. It was so tasty to him and he ate. After that he asked that woman “I never took this kind of tasty food in my life. This is so tasty. How you prepared this.” Without hiding anything she revealed everything. He wondered by understanding the skill of that woman and blessed her.
In this story there are three important points, to be noticed. First, without doing any useful work simply boasting. Second, even though one is so rich but not wasting even small things. Third one is that even though nothing tangible is available, tiding over the situation with good skill. Among these the first one is good for nothing, so no one should follow that. The second and third are good. The skill of the woman to tide over a situation when nothing is available comes to the top priority than the second one.
Compiled by
Dr RK Haldorai
Kiiye Kowhatty