The Possessed

Unexpected Visitors

In the village of Yadavpur, located at the foot of a hill, the residents were taken by surprise one day as they heard shouting and commotion. They soon learned that a vagabond, who had been selling milk in the market, had arrived and claimed to be possessed by the goddess. He marched to the hill, bellowing, “I must have a goat for sacrifice. Otherwise, I shall bring havoc upon this village!”

The Goddess’s Demands

There was a temple on the hill where the villagers would often bow to the goddess and spend time in prayer. Upon hearing the vagabond’s demands, the villagers decided to comply and brought him a goat within a few hours. The next morning, the headman of the village inquired, “What happened to the goat?” The vagabond replied, “The goddess ate it up completely.” The villagers began to regard the vagabond as a very gifted priest, believing that the goddess had truly accepted their offering.

The Deception Unfolds

Two or three days later, the vagabond demanded yet another goat on behalf of the deity. Once again, the villagers willingly obliged. This pattern of sacrifice continued, and soon, the headman ventured into town. By chance, he spotted the vagabond’s assistant selling the last goat that they had sacrificed for the goddess.

Uncovering the Truth

Instantly, the headman understood the true nature of the man who had pretended to be possessed. However, knowing that the villagers would not easily believe him, he decided to take a different course of action. Two days later, as the villagers returned from the market, the headman began to act as if he had been possessed by the goddess. He shouted, “Throw out this fellow who has been deceiving me in my temple! Otherwise, I will bring ruin upon the village!”

A Twist of Fate

The vagabond left the temple immediately. As he exited, his assistant murmured, “But the headman was only pretending to be possessed!” The vagabond nodded and replied, “True, my boy! But if we reveal that he, too, was acting, the villagers might think I was just pretending as well. The best course of action now is to escape.”