The Poultry Thief

The Simple Farmer and His Clever Wife

In a certain hamlet lived a farmer named Chinnu. He was a simpleton who readily believed everyone. However, his wife, Chinna, was a clever woman. She managed the family resourcefully and protected her husband from the consequences of his foolishness. China ran a flourishing poultry farm and sold the eggs for profit.

The Miserly Neighbor

Venu was Chinnu’s neighbour, known as a great miser. Every day, he counted his money meticulously and locked it securely in his black safe. Although he had a fondness for eating chicken, he was unwilling to pay for it and spent his days wistfully eyeing Chinnu’s cackling cocks. His yearning for chicken grew so intense that he ultimately began stealing from Chinnu’s yard.

The Plan to Catch the Thief

Chinna soon discovered the theft, as she was always one short in her daily tally of chickens. Determined to catch the thief, she decided to stay awake at night. She arranged with Chinnu to take turns standing guard each night. However, Chinnu would snore during his watch, and the thefts continued unabated.

A Night of Confrontation

Unable to bear the situation any longer, Chinna chastised her husband. Feeling ashamed, Chinnu resolved to be extra vigilant that night and rubbed castor oil in his eyes to stay awake. As Venu sneaked into the yard, clad in white, Chinnu pounced on him. Although Venu struggled fiercely and fled, he dropped his key bunch in the process.

Venu’s Deception

The next morning, Chinnu picked up the keys and told Chinna, “See, the thief has left his key bunch behind. I am sure he’ll come back for it tonight. Then we’ll surely catch him.” Meanwhile, Venu discovered his loss and guessed what must have happened. He decided to trick Chinnu into giving up the keys. Accosting Chinnu on the street, he said, “What is this I hear about thieves stealing your hens?”

The Ghost Story

Chinnu replied, “True, Venu. Yesterday I almost caught the culprit. He escaped but left his key bunch behind. I will catch him when he comes back for it tonight.” At once, Venu exclaimed, “Good Lord! You have been visited by the ghost that steals hens. This ghost has an iron safe holding all its money. You are fortunate that the keys fell into your hands! Come with me to the cemetery tonight, and we’ll rob the ghost’s safe. But don’t speak of this to anyone, not even to your wife.”

A Dangerous Night

Chinnu believed implicitly in what Venu said. The next night, unbeknownst to his wife, Chinnu crept out of the house and headed for the cemetery, searching for Venu. Venu, hiding in a corner, waited until Chinnu was near. He leapt out and attacked Chinnu, leading to a violent struggle. Chinnu ultimately surrendered the keys, but during the fight, Venu’s signet ring came loose and fell to the ground.

The Revelation

Chinnu took the ring home to his wife, who held it up to the light and saw Venu’s name engraved on it. The following morning, she went to the village headman and recounted all that had happened, showcasing the ring as irrefutable proof. Venu was summoned, and faced with no escape, he shamefacedly admitted his guilt. The village Panchayat fined him and ordered him to pay damages to Chinnu. After this incident, Venu vanished from the hamlet, never to be seen again.

Chinna’s Wisdom

As for Chinnu, he remained as foolish as ever but prospered greatly in life due to his clever wife, Chinna.