The Legacy of Bhikhamdas
The Fearsome Bandit
Two centuries ago, who in the town was not afraid of Bhikhamdas, the bandit? The wealthy townspeople provided him with a regular monthly allowance to spare their riches. Bhikham knew many techniques for stealing, executing his work with such finesse that no evidence was left for the king’s police to use against him. People speculated that he possessed some kind of magic that allowed him to evade capture. In truth, the overwhelming fear he instilled prevented anyone from speaking out against him. Consequently, he moved about audaciously, defying all; he was, without a doubt, a great menace!
Rajesh’s Resolve
Rajesh was Bhikham’s only child, and everyone knew him to be extraordinarily clever and smart. Bhikham had no doubt that one day Rajesh would surpass him as a thief. With great care, he taught him the art of stealing. However, on the day Rajesh turned sixteen, Bhikham hoped to take him on a nocturnal mission. To Bhikham’s surprise and dismay, Rajesh declared, “No, father, I will never help you in your vocation. I wish to lead a different kind of life.”
The Clash of Ideals
“What!” Bhikham shouted furiously, “Are you such a coward? Do you think mine is an inglorious vocation? We have been doing this for generations. The king himself used to fear my grandfather. The wealthy ones respect me, but it seems you will bring all that glory to naught!”
“Father! The people do not respect you; they are afraid of you. Times are changing. It will not be possible to carry on your business smoothly anymore. It is wiser to pursue some honest way of living,” Rajesh replied. Bhikham, filled with wrath, retorted, “Go and find an honest way to earn a living for yourself, then!”
Seeking a New Path
Rajesh was strong-minded and determined to make a living apart from his family’s nefarious tradition. He ventured into the bazaar, having heard that the owner of a fruit shop needed an assistant. But when he approached the shopkeeper, the man smiled knowingly at those around him who returned his grin. Rajesh was curtly informed that there were no openings. This same experience befell him with several other shopkeepers. He realized that no one was willing to hire the son of a thief.
A Father’s Disappointment
When Bhikham returned the next day, he asked, “Did you find any way to earn an honest living?”
“No. People are not fools. They refuse to employ a thief’s son,” Rajesh replied. “I must go somewhere where nobody knows you.”
“Go wherever you like. You will soon return, starved and disappointed,” Bhikham replied, dismissively. “I may return, but not for the reasons you think. I will return the day you need me. I still insist that it is wrong to plunder others for our own comfort,” Rajesh asserted, before bowing to his parents and leaving.
Fall from Grace
Bhikham felt despondent as soon as Rajesh left. He could not eat or sleep well. His wife’s condition was even worse, and Bhikham felt the full weight of her sadness. Days passed, and the townsfolk began to perceive a change in Bhikham; he no longer seemed interested in plundering. The wealthy sighed with relief.
But then, one night, a rich merchant’s house was burgled, and a large sum of cash was stolen. Bhikham was taken aback. Who dared to commit such a theft under his jurisdiction? When he surveyed the merchant’s house, the merchant rudely asked, “What brings you here again in the daytime?” The merchant suspected him as the thief, but Bhikham tried to convince him otherwise.
A Bitter Revelation
As more houses were burgled, Bhikham realized that if he did not catch the new thief, the townspeople would continue to suspect him. He roamed the town throughout the night, desperate to find this new criminal. However, as days passed without success, he grew increasingly depressed. Then, one morning, returning home after a sleepless night, he discovered that his own house had been robbed. His wife had been left bound and gagged, and all his accumulated wealth was gone.
The Final Straw
Although some townsfolk came to express their sympathy, Bhikham could sense their underlying joy at his misfortune. He had inflicted sorrow upon many, and it was only natural that they now rejoiced at his downfall. After months of avoiding his monthly allowance from the wealthy, Bhikham approached them, but they coldly informed him, “Enough is enough. Do not expect us to be cowed down forever.”
Once feared like a tiger, now Bhikham felt utterly humiliated and bewildered. Unable to bear it any longer, he left the town with his wife. On the outskirts, he unexpectedly encountered Rajesh. Father and son embraced, and Bhikham recounted everything that had happened.
A New Chapter
“There is no reason for worry, father. Come to my house. We will live happily and honestly,” Rajesh said. Bhikham lamented, “But I do not understand how the people who once feared me are now so rude!”
“Father! Why should they fear you when they know you are losing interest in your past work? If the wealthy must pay their monthly allowance, it should now go to the new thief, who is a greater menace than you. Why should they pay it to you?” Rajesh explained.
Bhikham sighed and nodded, understanding the new reality. “I had warned you that we could not continue our family tradition forever. Did you see how you lost everything to a new thief?” Rajesh pressed.
The Clever Thief
“You are right. But I wonder who that clever new thief is,” Bhikham mused. “Who but your son!” Rajesh confessed, to Bhikham’s shock.
“You!” Bhikham exclaimed in disbelief.
“Yes, father. I wanted to prove that my refusal to steal was not out of cowardice. However, I will return everything I have taken to its rightful owners. The only wealth I will keep is what I have taken from you,” Rajesh said with a laugh.