Return of the Mendicant

One fine morning, Ramnarayan, the father of two children, announced to his wife, “Enough of this worldly life. I have decided to become a mendicant!”

“You are hardly the type for it. Besides, your children are too small for you to leave them!” his wife replied, concerned for their family’s future.

Despite his wife’s objections, Ramnarayan was adamant. He left their home for the wide world early the next morning. His wife packed him a meal for the journey. Ramnarayan walked until midday, struggling against the urge to open the food packet. However, hunger ultimately prevailed, and he unwrapped it. To his dismay, the rice was overly salty, and the curry was intolerably spicy.

Fuming with anger, he marched back towards his home. Arriving in the evening, he began shouting at his wife, “Tut, tut,” she responded calmly, “Is this the sign of a mendicant?”

She then offered him the delicious dishes she had prepared. From that moment on, Ramnarayan kept quiet about his aspirations to become a mendicant!