The Clever Wife
The Forgetful Wife
Once upon a time, there lived a farmer named Hari. His wife, Muniya, was extremely forgetful. She could never remember the simplest of instructions, causing her husband a lot of embarrassment with her behaviour.
The Lunch Dilemma
One day, as Hari set out for the field, he told Muniya, “Look here, woman, don’t forget to bring my lunch.” Muniya nodded her head but soon forgot all about it when her next-door neighbour, Laxmi, dropped in to exchange daily gossip. Time sped away; noon came and went, but she continued to chatter. By the time evening arrived, she remembered she hadn’t prepared any lunch.
Consequences of Forgetfulness
Hastily, she set the fire going and busied herself with dinner. Just then, Hari returned home in a towering rage. The poor fellow hadn’t eaten anything throughout the day. When he saw the oven just barely lit, his anger boiled over, and he seized a flat stick to beat his wife with it. Muniya wept and wailed, crying in despair.
A Second Chance
The next morning, Hari again set out for the fields and warned his wife, “Look here, woman, bring food today, or else I won’t be responsible for whatever happens.” Muniya solemnly promised to carry his lunch. However, as soon as Hari left, she forgot all about it and engaged in gossip with Laxmi. When noon arrived, she suddenly remembered Hari’s lunch. It was too late to cook anything. Quickly, she stuffed some uncooked rice and a few pieces of raw vegetables into an earthen vessel and set off for the fields.
The Unexpected Twist
Hari, waiting impatiently for his wife, finally saw her approaching leisurely. Upon her arrival, he lost his temper again and slapped her resoundingly for being late. Muniya began to wail and beat her breast. “Oh! God, look at my cruel husband! See how he treats me. Have I not been a good wife? If in the eyes of God, I am a good wife, then let whatever I’ve cooked turn back into their original form,” Muniya exclaimed loudly.
Realization and Forgiveness
Hari snatched the vessel from her hand and held it upside down. To his astonishment, a few pieces of potato and eggplant emerged, while the uncooked rice gushed out onto the ground. He looked at the empty pot, then at his wife, and finally at the raw grains scattered on the ground. Realizing that his wife had cleverly outsmarted him, he burst into laughter and forgave her. From that day on, he never beat her again, and she never forgot anything afterwards.
Moral of the Story
Never beat your wife, for she may outsmart you in everything else.
As Shakespeare once said, “The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.”