An Appointment with the Bandit
The city of Ujjain once became the haunt of a notorious bandit named Mansingh. The king tried his best to catch him but failed. In a desperate measure, the king announced that anyone who could provide information leading to the capture of the bandit would receive a reward of a thousand gold mohurs. However, days passed, and the reward remained unclaimed.
A Daring Night Heist
One night, Mansingh climbed the building of a merchant to burgle a room on the upper storey that contained the merchant’s treasures. Though he was stealthy, a servant of the household chanced upon him and soon raised the alarm. In a bold move, Mansingh leaped onto a nearby mango tree from the balcony, then jumped across to the roof of a neighboring house. As he disappeared into the darkness, the townspeople concluded that he had evaded capture once again.
An Unexpected Visitor
In reality, Mansingh landed in the courtyard of a house owned by a physician named Ram Shastri. Ram Shastri and his wife were taken aback by the sudden appearance of the bandit. However, Mansingh addressed them with respect and claimed he had injured his ankle, pleading with the physician to treat him for his injury while promising a handsome fee.
A Clever Deception
The physician, using the pretense of fetching medicine, stepped out of the courtyard and whispered to his wife, “Keep an eye on this man; I am sure he is none other than the infamous Mansingh. I’ll return with the king’s guards soon, and a thousand gold mohurs should be ours!”
Faced with a Dilemma
As the wife guarded the injured bandit, Mansingh suddenly brandished a dagger and growled, “Speak the truth, woman! Hasn’t your husband gone out to call the police?” Mortally afraid, she confessed that his suspicion was correct. Mansingh’s tone softened as he spoke, “My dear sister, how much will you gain by betraying me to the police? A thousand gold mohurs! If you protect me, I promise you ten thousand gold mohurs.”
A Risky Decision
Driven by both fear and temptation, the physician’s wife hid Mansingh in a sack and lay sprawled on the floor, pretending to be in distress. Soon, Shastri returned with a contingent of guards. His wife wailed, reporting that the bandit had beaten her and escaped.
The Aftermath
As soon as the guards left, Mansingh emerged from his hiding place. The astonished physician learned what had transpired. He treated the bandit’s injured ankle and asked, “When can I expect the promised reward?” Mansingh scribbled a note on a palm leaf and instructed the physician where to meet his lieutenants to collect the mohurs, assuring him he would be allowed to leave only after returning satisfied.
A Twist of Fate
The physician followed the bandit’s directions to a deserted house where he received the gold mohurs. However, as soon as he returned home, Mansingh’s gang raided his house, freeing their leader and taking the physician’s young son hostage. “You will get your son back only after providing us with a ransom of a thousand gold mohurs!” they declared as they departed.
Seeking Solutions
Shastri and his wife were devastated by their plight, but they had a wise and intelligent friend among the king’s courtiers. The friend advised Shastri to muster courage, and together they devised a plan.
The Final Confrontation
The next night, Mansingh confronted Shastri, demanding, “What is your decision—to pay the ransom or to lose your son?” to which Shastri replied, “How can I arrange such a large sum unless you give me until tomorrow night?” Mansingh was taken aback, realizing that another bandit had impersonated him to trick Shastri. He learned that this impostor would meet Shastri at an abandoned temple in a nearby forest.
Justice Served
“Mansingh instructed, “Keep him engaged in conversation for a minute or two. I’ll observe from a hiding place and deal with him.” At the designated time the following night, Shastri arrived at the temple to find the stranger veiled in black. “Where is the money?” demanded the stranger. In return, Shastri questioned, “Where is my son?”
Mansingh then jumped forward, challenging the impostor, “How dare you impersonate me?” But before he could finish, the king’s guards rushed out and captured him, revealing that the man in the dark veil was none other than the physician’s treacherous friend.
Afterward, the deserted house discovered by the physician was raided, and Mansingh’s gang was apprehended. Shastri’s son was rescued, and the physician received a reward of a thousand gold mohurs from the king.
