The Clever Thief

Introduction

Long ago, the forests of the Vindhya ranges were home to fierce robber bands. The chief of one such band was on his deathbed. A few days before his demise, he gathered his band and said, “I shall soon die. You must elect a new leader in my place. During my lifetime, I have failed to carry out only three thefts. He who can execute them successfully deserves to be the leader of this band.”

The Untold Thefts

The bandits eagerly inquired about those thefts. The dying chief revealed, “First, I could not steal the flocks of sheep belonging to Nathu Singh. Second, I failed to steal the golden slippers of Nagraj, the village headman. Third, I wished to take the star necklace of the king. If one of you can accomplish all three, then he is fit to be the leader after I am gone.”

The Challenge Begins

The robbers attempted to steal the items mentioned by their deceased leader, but none succeeded. Eventually, a cunning robber named Bhupat stepped forward, claiming he would accomplish the tasks. First, he travelled to the village where Nathu Singh lived, observing that Nathu never left the side of his flock. How could a man guard his sheep day and night without sleeping a wink?

The First Theft

Seizing an opportunity, Bhupat visited Nathu Singh’s house while the latter was away grazing his flocks. He knocked on the door, and when Nathu Singh’s wife answered, he hurriedly asked, “Madam, is it true that someone has stolen your husband’s sheep?”

At once, the wife replied, “I knew it would happen. What is the use of pretending to guard the flocks? In reality, my husband sleeps while on guard, and someone has found this out and stolen the sheep.”

Knowing this, Bhupat waited until the next night when Nathu Singh was snoring on his feet and drove the flocks into the forest, showcasing his success to his friends.

The Second Theft

Next, he travelled to the foothills where Nagraj, the village headman, resided. After watching Nagraj’s activities, he noticed that the headman traversed a certain path frequently. Bhupat set up an idol of the snake god along this path, anointing it with sandal paste and strewing flowers around it to suggest previous worshippers.

When Nagraj followed his usual route, he stopped in surprise at the idol. Being a devout man, he removed his slippers and bowed his head in prayer. At that moment, Bhupat seized the opportunity and quickly slipped away with Nagraj’s slippers.

The Final Theft

The third task was stealing the king’s star necklace. Bhupat went to the city and learned that the king had three daughters but no son. Disguised as an ascetic, he presented himself before the king, who welcomed him hospitably and asked what he could do for him.

Observing the necklace around the king’s neck, Bhupat said, “Oh king! Your lack of a male heir is due to the flawed stones in this necklace.” Surprised, the king removed the necklace and handed it to Bhupat for examination.

“Tonight, I will recite spells over this necklace to correct its flaws. Once complete, you will soon have a son,” Bhupat said, playing his role well. The gullible monarch entrusted the necklace to the false hermit while securely locking him in a wing of the palace.

The Escape

As night fell, Bhupat began his performance, loudly reciting his spells. The guards, lulled by his sonorous voice, soon fell asleep. Seizing the opportunity, the clever thief scaled the palace walls and made his escape.

The Aftermath

When the king discovered he had been duped, he was furious. However, realizing that such a man could prove useful to his kingdom, he proclaimed a public pardon for the outlaws and appointed Bhupat as his Minister in Court.

Thus, Bhupat completed the three tasks set by his former leader. Naturally, his comrades chose him as their new leader. From that day forward, all thefts ceased in the land, and the people no longer had to fear bandits.

“Laughter is not only an anti-poison; it is also a tonic for individuals and nations.”