Gift from the Monkeys

Long ago, there lived an old man in a certain village. He was a grass-cutter and went to the nearby forest daily to gather grass.

One day, as usual, he set out for the forest, carrying his lunch of puffed rice in a neat bundle. Upon reaching the jungle, he put his bundle down and got busy cutting the grass. Just then, a marauding band of monkeys swung down from a tree and pounced on his lunch, scattering the puffed rice in all directions. The old man was bemused by the antics of the monkeys but remained as still as a statue, watching them wreak havoc with his meal.

The monkeys, seeing the old man motionless, mistakenly thought he was an idol. They picked him up and carried him away. Fearing that he might be bitten to death, the grass-cutter closed his eyes tightly and remained immobile. The monkeys deposited him in front of a deserted temple, showering gold and silver coins on him before they left.

When the old man opened his eyes, he was astounded to see a treasure hoard lying before him. These must have been the coins dropped by devotees at the temple. The monkeys had raided the place and perhaps flung the money before him because he resembled the temple idol, so still and silent!

The old man tied the money in a cloth bundle and hurried home, elated by his unexpected windfall. On the way, he bought new clothes for himself and his family.

Word of his good fortune quickly spread, reaching the ears of his neighbour’s wife. Upon learning all the details, she pressed her husband to seek his fortune.

So the neighbour set out for the forest with his lunch of puffed rice. Upon arrival, he placed his lunch at the foot of a tree and sat down beside it.

As expected, the monkeys soon appeared and began devouring the food. They then lifted the man and began to run. At this, he opened his eyes and laughed at the amusing sight of so many monkeys carrying him. The monkeys, irritated by his laughter, dropped him on the ground. The entire troop then descended upon him in a frenzy, biting and scratching, nearly gouging out his eyes. Miraculously, he managed to escape and staggered home, bleeding from numerous wounds.

His wife, who had anticipated his return with a bounty of wealth, was crestfallen to see him in such a sad state. Her jealousy of her neighbour’s good fortune had backfired spectacularly.