Ideal Friends at Last
Introduction
In a certain land, the number of thieves seemed to be growing rapidly. To combat this crime spree, the king decided to hang thieves when caught, rather than merely imprisoning them. This stern measure produced the desired result: theft and robbery were rarely reported anymore.
A Change of Heart
Bhola and Giridhar, two thieves, were great friends who shared a desire to turn their lives around. They resolved to abandon their criminal practices and seek honest means of earning a living.
They traveled to a neighboring village and secured employment in the house of a wealthy man. Bhola was tasked with taking the cattle to the fields, while Giridhar was responsible for watering the plants in their master’s garden and orchard.
Adjusting to New Roles
On the first day, Bhola drove the cattle to the field; however, he struggled to keep them under control. The cows frequently attempted to wander into neighboring cornfields, forcing Bhola to run after them constantly. By the time he returned to his master’s house with the cattle, he was utterly exhausted.
Giridhar faced his own challenges. Pulling water from a deep well and pouring it on the numerous plants was labor-intensive, leaving him equally tired by the end of the day.
A Night of Confessions
At night, the two friends inquired about each other’s jobs. Bhola said, “To be frank, I am quite satisfied with my work. I drove the cattle to the field and was able to take a nap under a tree. When evening came, the cattle returned to me on their own, and I drove them back home, merrily whistling.”
A Curious Discovery
It didn’t take long for both friends to recognize each other’s deception the following day. While working in the orchard, Bhola grew curious about why the ground at the root of a certain mango tree dried up instantly, despite his efforts to water it. Determined to uncover the cause, he resolved to investigate secretly that night.
However, when the two friends met in the evening, they no longer discussed their jobs. Instead, they quickly lay down in their beds.
After a while, Bhola rose with a shovel and went to dig at the base of the mango tree, unaware that Giridhar was following him. He soon struck something metal with his shovel and looked around to ensure he wasn’t seen. But Giridhar was standing just behind him!
Unveiling the Truth
They lay back down, but Bhola planned to resume his search once Giridhar fell asleep. Unfortunately, he dozed off first.
It was then Giridhar’s turn to investigate the mango tree with the shovel. He soon uncovered two jars full of gold mohurs and realized he must hide them quickly. Nearby, there was a small pond; he buried the jars in the mud and returned to bed.
The Great Escape
Bhola awoke shortly after and noticed something had been disturbed at the mango tree. He quickly rushed back to his room and examined Giridhar closely. Giridhar’s clothes were muddy and wet, leading Bhola to suspect he had hidden the treasure in the pond. Search in the pond revealed the jars easily, and Bhola carried them towards his village.
When Giridhar opened his eyes and found Bhola missing, he dashed to the pond to check on the jars, but they were gone! Realizing that Bhola had escaped with the treasure, he ran toward his village.
Before long, Giridhar spotted Bhola at a distance carrying the jars. Cleverly, he threw one shoe onto the road, followed by the other shoe, and then climbed a tree to watch the spectacle unfold.
A Twist of Fate
Bhola noticed the first shoe but ignored it. However, when he saw the second shoe, he decided to collect the first one as well. Knowing he couldn’t carry the heavy jars back, he placed them under the tree where Giridhar was hiding.
As soon as Bhola turned his back, Giridhar came down, seized the jars, and hurried away. When Bhola returned to the tree, he found the jars missing!
A Sudden Revelation
Panicking, he rushed to Giridhar’s house, only to be met with wails from the women inside.
The Final Act
Bhola embraced his friend, and indeed, they lived happily thereafter.
Conclusion
The oldest tree in the world?
According to the Guinness Book of Records, a bristlecone pine located in eastern Nevada, America, is considered the oldest tree in the world. It is believed to be around 4,900 years old.