A Bolt from the Blue

The Honest Officer

Raju was an honest officer serving the king, and the salary he received was sufficient for a comfortable living. However, he lived in a posh area of the city, surrounded by wealthy traders who resided in elegant buildings.

Aspirations of Grandeur

Raju’s wife, Shrimati, was captivated by the lifestyle of their affluent neighbors. She yearned for a horse-drawn carriage, numerous servants at her disposal, and a beautifully decorated drawing room.

In an attempt to indulge her desires, she tried to cut down on household expenses in various areas to allocate more funds for displaying wealth. Unfortunately, her scheme failed. As she attempted to present a more glamorous image, people began to expect greater hospitality. Consequently, women from the neighborhood visited her more frequently, and she found herself spending even more on entertaining them.

The Pressure Builds

“Many of the king’s officers live like nawabs. Obviously, they do not rely solely on their meager salaries. To prosper, one must learn to utilize their power and position to earn more. But, unfortunately, you seem to lack ambition,” Shrimati would remind her husband whenever she got the chance.

The Temptation of Bribery

Eventually, Raju could no longer withstand the pressure. He began accepting bribes, something he initially approached with hesitation, but, over time, did without shame. Within two years, he amassed five lakhs of rupees.

Shrimati was overjoyed. They built three beautiful houses in different parts of the town, occupying one while renting out the other two.

A Shift to Business

“It’s time you resigned your post and ventured into business,” Shrimati suggested one day.

Raju took her advice and resigned. Around that time, the king appointed a committee to investigate allegations of corruption against several officers. The committee began assessing the properties of these officers to determine if anyone possessed more than they could have legitimately acquired.

The False Receipt

Panic-stricken, Raju created a false receipt indicating that he had borrowed five lakhs of rupees from a friend, Govind Seth, a professional moneylender. He requested that the Seth keep the receipt on file. If questioned by the committee, he planned to lead them to the Seth to present the receipt as evidence.

The Sudden Turn of Events

Just as things seemed to settle, Govind Seth suddenly died. With no heir, the state seized his property. The king’s officers examined the documents left by the late moneylender and discovered the receipt submitted by Raju, demanding he return the loan with interest.

The Downfall

This shocking revelation struck Raju like a bolt from the blue. Unable to repay the false loan, he faced the auction of his houses.

Reduced to poverty, Raju and Shrimati found themselves homeless, living on the streets as paupers.