The Priest’s Wisdom

*The wise priest Gopal, standing in a serene temple courtyard in Puliyangudi, surrounded by townsfolk seeking his counsel.*

The Wise Priest of Puliyangudi

In the town of Puliyangudi there lived a temple priest named Gopal. He was a wise man who took great pleasure in settling disputes among his neighbours to the satisfaction of all. He performed these good deeds freely, and never expected any rewards in return.

The Visit of the King

The king had heard about Gopal’s wisdom and decided to see for himself how this virtuous man dispensed justice to all. Alongside his minister, they set out for the town of Puliyangudi in disguise. They saw Gopal at work in the temple, and without disturbing him, quietly left.

A Surprising Encounter in the Forest

The townspeople of Puliyangudi had a routine of collecting firewood from the nearby forest. One day, a man went off to the forest as usual, but was surprised to encounter an old prophet sitting under a tree. Intrigued, he asked the prophet to forecast his future.

The Series of Unsettling Visions

The prophet offered to show him a vision. If the man could interpret it, the prophet promised to decipher his future. The man agreed, and then saw a stunning palace appear before him. However, a loud clap of thunder accompanied by lightning reduced the majestic palace to rubble. When asked to explain the vision, the man remained silent, and the prophet promptly turned him into a statue.

In the forest, the mysterious prophet sitting cross-legged under a large tree, projecting a vision of a majestic palace being struck by thunder and lightning. A townsman stands nearby, stunned and silent.

The Consequence of Silence

This pattern repeated with two more townsfolk. Both asked the prophet to predict their futures, both saw different visions but failed to interpret them, and both were turned into statues as a result.

The Intervention of the Wise Priest

The news of the strange occurrences spread across the town. The worried townspeople, thinking the prophet to be a wizard, went to the humble Gopal for help. Gopal patiently listened to the townsfolk, then journeyed into the forest to converse with the prophet. With great respect, he implored the prophet to restore the men to their original forms.

The Test of Wisdom

The prophet agreed to consider on the condition that Gopal must decode the visions he had projected to the other men. Gopal rightly interpreted all three visions and was rewarded by the restoration of the afflicted townsfolk to their former selves.

Gopal kneeling respectfully before the prophet in the forest, explaining the meanings of the visions. The prophet, impressed, raises his hand in blessing while the restored townsfolk stand in the background, grateful and relieved.

A Reward for the Wise

Impressed by Gopal’s wisdom, the prophet — who revealed himself to be a wizard sent by the king — predicted that Gopal would be honoured by the king the next day. True to the wizard’s prophecy, the king summoned Gopal and lavished him with several gifts. Gopal, however, chose to return to his town, where he continued to serve the people with humility and wisdom.

Tales Apr 1973