Stolen Twice

The Rivalry

In a certain village lived two neighbors, Bhola and Niloo. Niloo was wealthier than Bhola, which fueled Bhola’s jealousy. He constantly sought ways to harass and humiliate Niloo.

The Deception

One night, Bhola concealed all his valuable possessions in a dark corner of his home. He then threw a couple of his utensils into Niloo’s compound. The next morning, he wailed and shouted, claiming that all his valuables had been stolen.

The Accusation

Among the items Bhola claimed to have lost, two were found in Niloo’s compound. “Niloo is the thief!” he asserted. The villagers, seeing some lost property near Niloo’s house, easily believed Bhola’s accusation.

The Denial

“I know nothing about it!” Niloo exclaimed in distress, but no one believed him. The villagers took both Bhola and Niloo to the village judge.

The Judge’s Dilemma

“Believe me, sir, I am absolutely ignorant of the theft,” said Niloo humbly to the judge. “Then how could Bhola’s utensils be found in your compound?” the judge asked. Niloo had no answer.

After a pause, the judge said, “Give me some time to think about the matter. I will summon you later.” The villagers dispersed.

The Robbery

That same evening, Bhola had to leave for a distant village for business, leaving his wife alone at home. At midnight, a gang of robbers broke in and ransacked the house, emptying the very spot where Bhola had hidden his possessions.

The Discovery

Early in the morning, the villagers gathered as Bhola’s wife wept and shrieked, crying, “We have lost everything!” When the news reached the judge, he hurried to the scene and requested a list of the stolen items. Upon comparing this list with Bhola’s previous claim, he found both lists to be identical!

The Unraveling Truth

It didn’t take long for the judge to deduce the truth. He informed Bhola’s wife, “Ask Bhola to meet me as soon as he returns.”

The Consequences

Bhola was shocked to learn about the actual theft upon his return. All the items he had claimed that Niloo had stolen were now genuinely gone!

When Bhola met the judge, the latter said, “Is it not surprising that all your belongings, which had supposedly been stolen the night before last, were stolen again last night? This indicates only one thing: there was no theft in your house the night before last. You intended to falsely accuse Niloo of theft. That was all!”

The Punishment

The judge then proclaimed the punishment for Bhola: he must pay a heavy fine and leave the village within a week! Bhola, who had plotted to humiliate Niloo, found himself the one facing disgrace.