Bedtime Stories for Kids - The Worth of An Art

The Worth of An Art


The king's heralds announced, "There will be a festival in the capital. People talented in various arts are invited to gather before the palace and demonstrate their talents. The king will be pleased to give rewards to those who are found really gifted." Hundreds flocked to the capital. While some went to demonstrate their talents, others went to witness the demonstrations. In front of the palace, there was a field. It was cleared of bushes. Camps were erected there for those who came to participate in the competitions. Slowly the camps were filled with people. Among them were magicians, musicians, sportsmen, dramatists, and inventors. In a village lived a pundit, a learned scholar. He could explain the complex problems of philosophy in a simple style. His neighbor, Uttam, was an accomplished archer. Both proceeded to the capital, together. On their way, they were joined by Ramsingh who was an expert at stick manipulation. He too was on his way to the festival to show how to handle the stick for both defensive and offensive purposes. They had to pass through the forest. Uttam observed, "I feel quite rewarded for having mastered archery. It is an art which, on one hand, can protect myself and others: on the other hand it can earn me a living." 


"Yours is a good art so far as ordinary life is concerned. I feel blessed because I can illumine hundreds of minds through my discourses," said the scholar. "But can your discourse save yourself when in danger?" challenged Uttam. "Why not? My scholarly and kind words can certainly change the hearts of the cruel people!" answered the scholar. "But archery is one of the most hallowed arts. Great names like Krishna and Arjuna are linked with my art. Who is not afraid of an archer?" said Uttam. "I belong to the tradition of the rishis, who gave us the scriptures. Who does not respect a scholar?" asked the pundit. Bhimsingh who heard their dispute, said, "All arts are valuable. One art might prove superior in a particular situation; another will prove superior in another situation. We cannot brand some as superior and some as inferior." The pundit and the archer laughed. "We hope, you don't mean to say that even your stick play can be compared to scholarship or archery!" "I don't wish to compare one art with another. All I say is, circumstance determines the usefulness of certain art," said Bhimsingh. 


"All said and done, your art does not come anywhere near ours," said the scholar and the archer. Bhimsingh kept quiet. It was midday. Bhimsingh was to cook for himself and his companions. As he kept busy lighting a fire, the scholar and the archer strolled away, talking. Suddenly Bhimsingh heard a cry. He looked back and saw his companions surrounded by four bandits. The scholar was trying to put good sense into them by reciting lines from a holy book. But they were in no mood to appreciate his recitation. The bandits being too close to Uttam, he found no chance to use his bow and arrow. The two friends were in a helpless condition. The scholar was on the verge of weeping. The archer looked extremely helpless. The bandits were about to take away forcibly the money they had. The scholar and the archer were only groaning. Bhisingh picked up his stick and reached the scene in a few bounds, shouting and gyrating his weapon. The bandits received a few hard blows and ran away like kicked dogs. The scholar and the archer took time to recover their speech. They embraced Bhimsingh. "You were right. Pardon us for our insolent words," they said. "Please don't say so. Many things are spoken for argument's sake. What is wrong in that?" said Bhimsing with a kind smile and the other two happily laughed.

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