What Price a Dream?

Once upon a time, in a remote hamlet, a young man named Shanmugam resided alongside his mother and brothers. Unlike his hardworking siblings, Shanmugam spent his days idling away, lost deep in his dreams.

The Mother’s Worries

His mother was increasingly vexed at his indolence and one day decided to confront him, urging him to strive for his livelihood. However, Shanmugam dismissed his mother’s concerns saying he was a dreamer of dreamers and found the utmost pleasure in his visions, much to his mother’s annoyance.

Setting Forth on His Journey

Criticized by his mother, the determined dreamer Shanmugam set off on his unique venture – selling dreams. He left his village behind and arrived at a nearby manor of a Lord, who, though amused by the naive proposal, agreed to host the young dreamer. The Lord, in return for Shanmugam’s dreams, would feed him well and compensate for each dream.

A Dreamer’s Dreams

An agreement was made, and the dreamer narrated his visions one by one. Starting with a parrot nesting in the Lord’s garden, which happened the next day, to foreseeing a stray hound becoming a faithful watchdog, and even unearthing a buried treasure of gold coins – all his dreams transpired as foretold.

Uniting a Lost Family

In his final dream, Shanmugam saw a forgotten temple near a solitary cottage, home to an old dame and her beautiful daughter. When the Lord visited the location, he discovered the girl was his long-lost daughter, creating an emotional reunion.

The Dreamer’s Rewards

As all of Shanmugam’s dreams turned into reality, the Lord was convinced to marry his regained daughter to Shanmugam, thus fulfilling the final part of the dream. Overall, Shanmugam, the original dreamer, proved his visions to be valuable, leading him to gain a wealth, a wife, and a secure shelter for the rest of his life.