The Wrestler’s Secret

Introduction

A certain zamindar had a wrestler named Gopal in his service. The landlord, who was very fond of sports, arranged for a wrestling match on the first day of every month. He took great pride in Gopal, who invariably emerged victorious. Each time, he rewarded Gopal with a prize of a thousand rupees. Gradually, the zamindar became convinced that Gopal was invincible.

The Rise of Gopal’s Pride

As time went by, the zamindar showered Gopal with numerous medals, in addition to his regular rewards. He frequently praised Gopal in front of his friends and fellow zamindars, which caused Gopal to become extremely proud of his status. His arrogance grew, and he often became rude to others, but no one dared to admonish him because of the zamindar’s affection for him. The zamindar even took Gopal as his companion wherever he went.

A Day in the Forest

One morning, the zamindar went hunting in a forest, accompanied by Gopal. They ventured deep into the woods, looking for suitable game. By noon, they crossed into an orchard, and the zamindar, feeling hungry, asked Gopal to climb a tree and pluck a few mangoes for him.

The Confrontation

Gopal obeyed his master, but before they could leave the orchard, a bearded man appeared, shouting, “Who is stealing fruits from my orchard?” Gopal attempted to pacify the man, explaining that he was collecting the fruits for the zamindar of the neighboring estate. However, the man retorted sternly, “You have plucked my fruits without permission, and you must pay me a thousand rupees!”

Gopal’s Downfall

“What! A thousand rupees for a few mangoes?” Gopal shouted in disbelief. The man replied, “I demand the amount not as the price of the mangoes, but as a penalty for your trespassing and theft!” The zamindar stepped forward and gravely remarked, “Do you realize with whom you are quarreling? This man, Gopal, is the greatest wrestler in the land!”

Before the zamindar could finish his sentence, the man lunged at Gopal. Their struggle lasted less than a minute before the man easily threw Gopal to the ground. Afterward, the man walked away toward his hut without demanding the penalty. Both the zamindar and Gopal left the orchard quietly.

Reflections on Humiliation

“Huzoor! That fellow must know some black magic. He couldn’t have defeated me otherwise,” Gopal complained on their way back. However, the zamindar remained silent, feeling disheartened.

The Wrestling Match

As the first of the next month approached, an unknown wrestler confronted Gopal, declaring, “This time, I intend to try my strength against you.” Gopal had always been the organizer of the wrestling matches, not the zamindar.

In his ambition, Gopal invited the unknown wrestler into his room and confided, “Let me tell you about a peculiar custom that the zamindar follows. If any stranger defeats me in the match, he is asked to enter a dark tunnel. Nobody has ever come out alive! You might as well accept defeat; I will share half of the reward with you!”

The Unraveling

The unknown wrestler feigned acceptance of Gopal’s proposal. When the match began, the new wrestler quickly overpowered Gopal, pinning him down. Gopal gasped for breath and stammered, “Remember the death tunnel… half of the reward!”

However, the stranger refused to let Gopal rise until the zamindar declared the match over, officially declaring Gopal defeated. The mysterious wrestler then removed his false beard and revealed, “We met in the orchard beyond the forest!” He disclosed to the zamindar the truth behind Gopal’s past victories—how Gopal intimidated every competitor with threats of the death tunnel and bribed them to accept defeat.

Consequences of Deceit

Needless to say, Gopal was dismissed from his service, learning a harsh lesson about humility and the dangers of pride and deception.