Sethji’s Pilgrimage

Seth Botulal wanted to earn some religious merit without spending any money. He decided to embark on a pilgrimage. At the holy site, which was far from his home, he displayed a small cardboard sign on his chest. Written on it were the words: “Deaf and Dumb.”

As pilgrims passed by, they generously tossed small coins into his bag. To his delight, he found that he was earning quite well. Encouraged by his success, he traveled to yet another holy site and repeated the same act.

However, two men happened to recognize him. One of them remarked to the other, “Sethji is blissfully unaware that his house has been reduced to ashes! Should we inform him?”

The other replied, “Poor Sethji! He seems to have truly become deaf and dumb! How can we tell him?” Just then, Sethji called out, “Hello, gentlemen! Please tell me more! How did my house burn down?”

The pilgrims were astonished. “What a trickster!” they exclaimed, snatching his bag away and turning him over to the police. As a result, Sethji spent several days in the police lock-up before finally returning home.

Upon his return, he lamented, “Pilgrimage is not easy, you know!” he told his relatives.