Virtue Misunderstood
Ratnakar, the merchant of Nandanpur, had a son named Ajit. Away in the city of Chitrawati was another merchant who had a daughter named Susheela. She was as beautiful as she was intelligent. At least that is what people who knew her told about her. Ratnakar believed such reports and got Ajit married to Susheela. But in a few days, he began wondering if what he did was right. At times Susheela's conduct seemed rather queer to him. But he was quite bewildered at what he observed one night. Susheela went out after her husband had fallen asleep, towards the river, carrying an empty jar. She returned after a while, the jar still empty. "What is the matter, my daughter? If you went to fetch water at this unearthly hour, why did you return without it?" Ratnakar asked the young lady. "Father, I went not to fetch water, but for something of much less worth. That is why I did not bring it," she replied. Ratnakar kept quiet. But he was left in no doubt that there was something quite wrong with Susheela. He wanted to discuss his doubts with Ajit. But he could not do so while Susheela was in the house. "I feel that Susheela should go over to her father's house for a few days. I am going to Chitrawati on business. Let her accompany me.
I shall leave her there. We shall arrange to bring her after some days," proposed Ratnakar. Ajit did not understand why his father took such a decision. But he was not in the habit of arguing with him. He knew that Ratnakar was a prudent man and he must be having enough justification for his action. Susheela was asked to follow Ratnakar. They must walk up to the next village where they could hire a cart for their travel. They happened to pass by some fields teeming with a lush crop. "Excellent. The owner of these fields will become prosperous," observed Ratnakar. "A man given to bad habits can hardly prosper," was Susheela's unexpected comment. Ratnakar was surprised that a girl who speaks such nonsense was considered intelligent by some people. No cart was available in the next village. They had to continue walking. By noon they passed through a small town rich with decent buildings. When they came to the end of the town, Ratnakar observed, "What a beautiful town!" Pat came Susheela's reaction, "I have never seen a more ugly town!" Ratnakar was shocked. "This lady should never find a place in my house again," he told himself. Soon they found a cart. The carter was willing to carry them to their destination. But he went into the town to bring some fodder for his bulls. Ratnakar lay down in the cart while Susheela relaxed outside in the shadow of the cart. A few yards away a crow was cawing repeatedly. Suddenly Ratnakar heard Susheela murmuring, "Don't tell me a word more, you crow! Don't you see the consequence of my having paid attention to the jackal's message? I had to leave my husband's house. Maybe, if I listen to you, I will never be able to return to his house!"
Intrigued, Ratnakar got down and asked Susheela, "What do you mean by these words?" "I mean what I told the crow. You see, because the sandalwood smells so good, it has to suffer rubbing. Because I have some unusual virtues, I have to suffer suspicion," replied Susheela. "I fail to understand you, my daughter," said Ratnakar. "I can understand the language of beasts and birds. One night I understood from the howling of a jackal that a packet of ornaments, tied to timber, was floating in the river. I went out to collect the ornaments, carrying a jar with me. Upon collecting them I thought it wise not to carry them home at night. So I buried them and returned with an empty jar. That made you suspicious about my conduct and you decided to leave me at my father's place," explained Susheela. Ratnakar was surprised. But he was yet to e sure about the truth of Susheela's words.
"And what did the crow tell you just now?" he asked "It informed me that there are two potfuls of gold buried under the tree yonder," replied Susheela. Ratnakar found a spade in the cart. He dug the spot and found the pots. Delighted at the discovery and impressed with Susheela, Ratnakar, as soon as the carter came, asked him to drive the cart back to his own home. On the way, they had to pass through the town. "My daughter, why did you describe this town as ugly?" asked Ratnakar. "The town is no doubt remarkable for its fine buildings. But although we passed through the main thoroughfare, I failed to notice a single resthouse for travelers. The dwellers of the town have no consideration for visitors and passers-by. They are ugly at hear," explained Susheela. A little later they saw the fields abounding in the crop. "What was the significance of your comment about the owner of these fields?" asked Ratnakar. "When you observed that the owner of these fields is lucky, a crow said that he had fallen into the habit of drinking and gambling I only translated what the crow said," explained Susheela. Ajit was surprised to see them back home early in the night. Ratnakar reported to him his experience with Susheela on the way. Both were amazed and happy.
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