Gratitude

Poor Sivaram had a daughter, and he was searching for a suitable bridegroom. However, he lacked the money needed to celebrate the marriage. Sivaram was an employee earning a small salary at the office of Nandalal, the merchant.

Sivaram’s father had once been the richest man in the village, known for his extreme generosity. He spent all his wealth helping others, leaving hardly anything for Sivaram. Even Nandalal had prospered due to the patronage he received from Sivaram’s father.

The Marriage Proposal

Sivaram chose a young man from the neighboring village as a potential son-in-law, but the bridegroom’s father demanded a dowry of one thousand rupees. Believing that many in the area owed their success to his father, Sivaram thought it would not be difficult to raise a loan. Thus, he agreed to the request, and the marriage date was set.

However, Sivaram’s expectations soon proved to be misguided. Despite his efforts, no one was willing to lend him the one thousand rupees—not even Nandalal, the wealthy merchant.

A Desperate Decision

Feeling despondent and stuck, Sivaram pondered his situation for a long time. Ultimately, he decided to meet with the bridegroom’s father and explain his plight honestly.

That evening, Sivaram left his home. The night was dark and cloudy, and he chose to walk alone, wishing to speak confidentially with the bridegroom’s father.

Encounter in the Forest

On his way, he had to traverse a forest filled with ominous sounds. He heard jackals howling and owls hooting, sending chills of fear down his spine.

Suddenly, he spotted someone walking ahead, carrying a bag. Feeling relieved, he called out, “Who is that?”

The stranger stopped and, when Sivaram approached, said, “I am known as Dikshit. I am heading to the next village. What about you?”

“My name is Sivaram. I too am going to the next village,” Sivaram replied as they walked together.

The Conversation

Sivaram inquired, “What do you do? Where do you live?”

“I live at the opposite end of the village, under a banyan tree. I don’t do anything in particular!” the stranger answered.

As they walked, Sivaram recounted his troubles and lamented, “My father did so much for others. But when I needed help, it did not come from anywhere!”

“Gratitude is not easily found, my dear man!” the stranger replied. “There was a man in your village named Samva. Once he saved me from a difficult situation, and I always remember him. He was a godly man!”

A Mysterious Disappearance

Before Sivaram could explain that Samva was his father, the stranger asked, “Will you hold my bag for a moment? I will return soon!” Handing his bag to Sivaram, the stranger then vanished into the night.

Sivaram waited patiently, but the stranger did not return even by dawn. Surprised, he set off toward the village. At the opposite end, he saw a banyan tree and a hut beneath it, where an old woman sat.

A Shocking Revelation

“Is this the house of Dikshit? If so, please take this bag. He may return shortly,” Sivaram said.

“Dikshit? He was my father-in-law, but he died twenty-five years ago!” the old woman exclaimed, leaving Sivaram in shock. He began to wonder if the stranger had been more than just a man.

Opening the bag, Sivaram found three thousand rupees inside! “Well, grandma, this money is yours!” he declared.

“Never!” the old woman protested. “If it were meant for me, my father-in-law’s spirit could have given it to me directly. Whatever the reason, he meant it for you.”

A Grateful Conclusion

Remembering the stranger’s words about gratitude, Sivaram realized that this was indeed a gesture from the grateful spirit. However, he decided to divide the amount and insisted that the old woman accept half of it.

Sivaram returned to his village, a happy man. With the money, his daughter’s marriage was joyfully conducted. The people who had previously refused to help him felt ashamed afterward.