Safely Through the Forest

The Woman’s Solitude

In a certain forest lived an old woman, alone in her hut. There were bandits in the forest, which is why sometimes travelers spent the night in the old woman’s hut, not daring to cross the forest in darkness. Before they left, they paid the woman for her hospitality.

A Hidden Business

The woman had another source of income as well. The bandits often deposited their stolen goods in her hut and paid her for their safekeeping. One evening, a man who looked like a bandit approached the woman and held out a necklace of diamond beads, saying, “Granny, please keep this safe. I will come to collect it at midnight.”

The Bandit’s Scheme

A landlord’s son is coming this way. I am sure he will spend the night in your hut. He will naturally fasten his horse to the tree in front of your hut. When I come to collect this necklace, I will steal away his horse. But be sure, I will give you a few diamond beads before I leave. The landlord’s son cannot blame you for the loss of his horse!”

A Dream Come True

The woman gladly accepted the necklace and buried it in a corner of her kitchen while the bandit watched. For a long time, it had been her dream to possess a piece or two of diamonds, and she was now delighted at the prospect of her dream being realized.

A Visitor Arrives

A few hours after the bandit left, a well-dressed young man arrived at the woman’s hut seeking shelter for the night. The woman welcomed him kindly. The young man fastened his fine horse to a tree that stood in front of the hut.

The Waiting Game

The woman sat by the side of her window, waiting for the bandit to come. She kept her eyes fixed on the horse because she thought the bandit was certain to appear near it. Whenever she heard a sound, she became more alert. Time and again she went outside to ensure that the horse was still there.

A Surprising Morning

Time passed, and morning arrived. The woman thought that the bandit had either been captured by the king’s guards or wounded in some encounter. She wished to sell the diamond necklace to the landlord’s son and leave the forest for good. However, to her great surprise, the necklace had disappeared!

The Young Man’s Revelation

“Hello, Granny! What are you looking for?” The question startled her. She turned back and saw the landlord’s son dangling the necklace! “The man who met you first was none other than myself. I am going away to settle in a town. I was worried about the safety of this costly necklace and my horse during the night. So I had to take your help. You kept a watch on my horse, expecting the bandit’s arrival. I enjoyed my sleep, and now I am ready for departure along with my necklace and my horse. However, here is your reward,” said the young man.

A Quick Exit

He then tossed a coin at the woman, jumped onto his horse, and galloped away.