Driving Away the Ghost
Gangaram’s Search for Work
Gangaram was a young villager eager to work hard. He was in search of a job, but opportunities in the village were scarce. Determined, he set off to the town in search of employment.
He approached a shopkeeper and said, “I promise to work hard and faithfully. Will you please employ me in your shop or household?”
“I will,” replied the shopkeeper, “but only if you agree to my terms.”
Unfair Terms
“What are your terms?” asked Gangaram.
“I will pay you two hundred rupees at the end of the year. If you leave before that, you will receive nothing. However, if I dismiss you for any reason before the year is complete, I will pay you double the salary four hundred rupees. You will be served food twice a day, and your leaf will be filled with rice,” said the shopkeeper.
“I agree to your terms. Let’s call some gentlemen from the village to witness our agreement,” proposed Gangaram.
They summoned a few villagers and informed them about the contract. Gangaram began to work, putting in hard effort and sincerity.
The Shopkeeper’s Cruelty
However, the shopkeeper was a crook. He employed people only to extract free labor from them. Frustrated by his behavior, many of his servants left before the year was up, ending up with nothing. The shopkeeper always had temporary workers.
At lunchtime, Gangaram sat near the kitchen, spreading a leaf before himself. The shopkeeper’s wife emerged with a bowl of rice. To his dismay, she sprinkled a meager amount on his leaf before leaving, never to return.
Gangaram managed to finish his meal but left feeling hungry.
A Hungry Complaint
He approached the shopkeeper and complained, “I did not get enough rice to eat, sir!”
“How can you say that?” the shopkeeper frowned. “Did I not promise that the leaf would be filled with rice? Was it not filled? I never said it would be heaped!” “Understood, sir,” replied the hungry Gangaram.
Outsmarting the Shopkeeper
That night, Gangaram ingeniously combined several leaves to form a larger one. When the shopkeeper’s wife sprinkled rice, she would have to cover the entire leaf, much to his advantage.
“How did you end up with such a big leaf?” the shopkeeper demanded. “Sir, our agreement mentioned nothing about the size of the leaf!” responded Gangaram, leaving the shopkeeper speechless.
A Trip to the Father-in-Law’s House
A few days later, the shopkeeper set off for his father-in-law’s house on horseback, while Gangaram walked behind him with the luggage. The shopkeeper’s wife prepared sweets and ghee-baked breads for her husband but gave Gangaram only a few dry breads.
When the shopkeeper grew hungry, he received the dry breads from Gangaram, who made excellent use of his master’s food packet. The shopkeeper grew angry at his wife for what she had prepared.
“Don’t worry, sir. Let me run ahead to your father-in-law’s house and inform them of your hunger. They will prepare an extravagant meal for you. You can trot leisurely behind,” Gangaram suggested. “Very well,” agreed the shopkeeper.
A Deceptive Message
Quickly, Gangaram reached his destination and told the shopkeeper’s father-in-law about their visit. He added, “But your son-in-law is suffering from a terrible stomach issue. Please don’t mention it to him. Just give him a couple of dry breads and a glass of water; anything more might harm him!”
When the shopkeeper arrived, he was met with solemn faces. He received only dry breads and water. Shocked at the treatment, he felt furious but could not express his anger while seeing his relatives’ long faces, which only intensified his frustration. Meanwhile, Gangaram enjoyed a lavish dinner.
The Lesson Learned
At the right moment, Gangaram leaned in and whispered to his master, “You are clearly unwelcome here. Who has ever heard of a son-in-law receiving only dry breads and water? As a man of dignity, you should leave now.”
“You’re right. Let’s depart immediately,” replied the shopkeeper. They left under the cover of night.
Back to the Village
By noon, they were close to their village. Gangaram suggested, “Sir, let me run ahead. I will ask your wife to prepare some delicious dishes for you.”
“Excellent idea! I’m starving,” said the shopkeeper.
The Comedic Resolution
He then returned to the shopkeeper, claiming, “I’m horrified to find your wife possessed by a ghost! Prepare to do what is necessary!”
According to tradition, the method to drive away a ghost was to beat the possessed person with a broom. The shopkeeper grabbed an old broom and entered his house, ready.
His wife was prepared to give him a thorough beating when they rushed towards each other, both swinging their brooms, shouting and exchanging insults until neighbors intervened to separate them.
As the gathered crowd looked bewildered, Gangaram stepped forward and explained, “I merely wanted my master to understand how it feels to be hungry. That’s all! Both my master and his wife are haunted by the ghost of miserliness.”
Now anxious to rid himself of Gangaram, the shopkeeper begrudgingly paid him the four hundred rupees they had agreed upon. Gangaram was pleased, and the shopkeeper left a wiser man.