Third Time Lucky
Mahesh was a young man who lived in a small village near Surat with his father, a widower. Mahesh was a hardworking and capable farmer, and it was largely thanks to his efforts that they had a steady income from their land. However, his father was selfish, harsh, and never had a kind word for him. Instead of praise, Mahesh received only abuse and constant grumbling.
In the same village lived a girl named Tulasi, who, although not particularly beautiful, was loved by everyone for her kind and cheerful nature. Mahesh and Tulasi had been close since childhood, and it was no surprise when Mahesh announced his intention to marry her.
Tulasi’s parents were pleased with the match, but Mahesh’s father was furious. “What nonsense!” he shouted. “Why should I feed another mouth? You’re not ready to marry! Save some money, work hard, and then we’ll talk about it. But until you can support yourself, you have no business thinking about marriage.”
Heartbroken, Mahesh confided in Tulasi about his father’s refusal. That night, he quietly packed a few belongings and snuck out of the house, setting off on his own to earn enough money to marry her.
As he walked through a forest before dawn, Mahesh met an old woman, bent with age and carrying a bundle of firewood on her head.
“Wait, Mother!” Mahesh said, offering to carry the bundle for her. “Let me help you with that weight.”
As they walked together, the old woman asked Mahesh where he was going and what his plans were. Mahesh, feeling comfortable with her, shared his story—about his cruel father and his hope to earn enough money to marry Tulasi.
The old woman listened carefully, then smiled and said, “The city is full of dangers and temptations. Come work for me instead. At the end of the year, I’ll give you a valuable gift.”
Mahesh, trusting her, agreed and worked hard for the old woman for an entire year. He helped her tend to her garden, cut wood, and care for her cattle. When the year was up, the old woman led him to a stable and presented him with a donkey.
“This is no ordinary donkey,” she said. “Pull its ears, and you’ll see.”
Mahesh was skeptical but decided to give it a try. When he pulled the donkey’s ears, gold and silver coins tumbled from its mouth. Mahesh was overjoyed, thanking the old woman before heading back home with his magical donkey.
On the way, he stopped at an inn for the night. The innkeeper, a woman and her son, were unfriendly but allowed him to stay. After a simple meal, Mahesh went to bed, leaving the donkey in the stable.
The next morning, the innkeeper asked for payment. Mahesh went to the stable, pulled the donkey’s ears, and collected the coins. He returned to pay the innkeeper, but unbeknownst to him, the woman’s son had swapped the magical donkey with a regular one while Mahesh wasn’t looking.
Mahesh left the inn, unaware of the switch, and continued on his way. When he finally arrived home, his father rushed out to meet him. “Where have you been, you rascal?” he grumbled.
Mahesh, excited, told his father about the magical donkey. “Every time you pull its ears, gold and silver coins will come out!”
His father, unimpressed, skeptically grabbed the donkey’s ears and tugged hard. But instead of coins, the donkey reared up and kicked Mahesh’s father with both hind legs, sending him sprawling on the ground.
Mahesh stood in shock, unsure of what had happened. His father, groaning, picked himself up and, in a rage, grabbed a stick. Mahesh, fearing another attack, ran away as fast as he could, realizing that something was wrong with the donkey.
Feeling despondent, Mahesh wandered back into the same forest where he had met the old woman. There, he saw an elderly carpenter struggling with a heavy load of planks.
“Let me help you,” Mahesh offered, lifting the planks onto his shoulders. As they walked together, Mahesh shared his story of the magical donkey, his father’s anger, and how things had gone wrong.
The carpenter listened thoughtfully and said, “Don’t lose hope. Come work for me, and at the end of the year, I will give you a special gift.”
So, Mahesh worked hard for the carpenter for the next year. When the year was over, the carpenter presented him with a beautiful brass plate. “Sit with the plate,” he said. “Rub it with your hand, and it will fill with whatever food you desire.”
Mahesh was doubtful but decided to try it. He rubbed the plate, thinking of his favorite foods, and immediately the plate was overflowing with delicious dishes. Surprised and pleased, Mahesh thanked the carpenter and set off for home.
On his way, he passed the same inn where he had stayed before. The innkeeper begrudgingly allowed him to stay again, claiming that food was scarce. Mahesh smiled and said, “No need to worry. My plate will provide us with plenty of food.”
The woman and her son watched in awe as Mahesh rubbed the plate, and it filled with an abundance of food. After dinner, Mahesh washed the plate and placed it under his pillow before going to sleep.
That night, the son crept into the room, stole the plate, and replaced it with a similar-looking one. The next morning, Mahesh left for home, unaware of the theft.
When he returned, his father started scolding him again. Mahesh, excited, showed the plate to his father and explained that it could provide endless food. His father, eager to try it, rubbed the plate—but no food appeared. Furious, he threw the plate at Mahesh.
Mahesh, realizing he had been tricked again, ran away, determined to recover both his donkey and his plate.
As he walked along the road, he came upon an old man trying to chop down a large tree with a feeble axe.
“Let me help,” Mahesh offered, and with a few strong strokes, he felled the tree, making it fall across the stream to create a bridge.
“Thank you,” the old man said, grateful for Mahesh’s help. “For your kindness, I will give you a special gift.”
The old man broke off a short, sturdy branch from the tree and handed it to Mahesh. “This is no ordinary stick. Speak to it, and it will help you in your troubles.”
Mahesh, now filled with hope, set off for the inn. He marched in without hesitation and confronted the innkeeper and her son. “Where are my donkey and plate?” he demanded, waving the magical stick.
The son sneered, “Don’t threaten us. The donkey and plate are ours now.”
Mahesh raised the stick and commanded it to strike the pair. The stick immediately sprang to life, beating the innkeeper and her son mercilessly. “Stop! Stop!” they cried, terrified.
As soon as Mahesh called for the stick to stop, they hurriedly returned the donkey and the plate.
Now, with his magical donkey, plate, and stick, Mahesh rode home triumphantly. His father, seeing the wealth and food Mahesh had brought, was forced to reconsider his harshness. With enough money to support himself and Tulasi, Mahesh could finally marry his love, and the happy couple lived contentedly ever after.