There is a story that dates back to the days gone by. A man was going to another village with some valuables. After covering a little distance, he found carrying some valuables himself in a jungle. He was already apprehensive for his safety as he was with him. When he proceeded a little further in the forest, he caught sight of a gang of dacoits coming towards him. He was terribly frightened, He dared not go further He hadn’t the courage to turn back either. He became desperate in his attempt to seek shelter somewhere. After having let his eyes wander here and there, he came in sight of a temple of a goddess. He decided to seek shelter in it. The goddess was known for her miraculous powers in that area. Thousands of people worshipped her. It was popularly believed that none of the person who had been to her temple returned disappointed, He felt secure in the premises of the temple. He bowed down in reverence to the goddess and said in an humble voice, “O! goddess mother, save me Goddess. My life is in your hands now.” The goddess was very pleased to hear his prayer with such courteous words.

 

She said, “When the dacoits come to rob you, just utter the sound ‘hum’ and no one will dare come before you.”

 

Traveller – O mother! I have been so frightened that it’s not possible for me to utter the sound ‘hum”.

 

Goddess – Then, just look at the man who comes to plunder you with your eyes open, and he will dare                         not do any harm to you.

 

Traveller-O! mother, my eyes have been so affected by terror that it’s not possible for me even to cast a look at the man standing before me.

 

Goddess-Well! then just close the door of the temple and you will escape being robbed by the dacoits.

 

Traveller- O! mother! what you have said is correct but my hands have almost been paralysed with fear and now I cannot close the door.

 

Goddess- Go and hide yourself behind my statue.

 

Traveller-Mother! it’s right but fear has almost nailed my legs to the ground and it is not possible for me to move even.

 

The goddess said in an angry tone, “Then it’s not possible for me as well to help such useless and impotent persons”.

 

A merchant had four sons. One day he thought that he had become very old and it was time for him to pass on his responsibility to one of his sons. He called all the four sons and said, “Today I allow you the privilege of leading a luxurious life. I realise that I had so far imposed many unnecessary restrictions on you and prevented you from living a comfortable life. You were born in a family which is blessed with abundance of money neverthelen you were not allowed to enjoy it. I have decided to reverse the position now.” With these words the merchant placed four bags before them each containing one lakh rupees. He told them that it was their personal money. They were free to spend The three elder it the way they liked. up their bags but the youngest son showed no sign of eagerness. He did not even touch the bag. He said to his father, “I shall not accept this money.” 

 

Father-Why?

 

Son -It’s not my money.

 

Father – Do you think that the money in question belongs to some one else? -Yes, father.

 

Son -Yes, father.

 

Father-How have you been brought up?

 

Son -With the help of this money.

 

Father-Then, why don’t you have it?

 

Son -It is the duty of a father to bring up his son but it does not mean that he should drive him to the path of idleness. that I am driving you to the

 

Father-Does it mean that I am driving you to the course of an idle life?

 

Son- He who does not earn money by his own efforts and lives on the earnings of his ancestors turns idle and in the event of adverse circumstances, it becomes impossible for him to sustain himself.

 

Father-Has your fortune contributed nothing to what is being given to you?

 

Son- It may have done so but it owes nothing to my own personal endeavour.

 

Father- Do you not rely on your own fortune?

 

Son- I do but I count much more on my own efforts than on my fortune.

 

Father-Why?

 

Son- Our fortune may fail us but our efforts will never be in vain.

 

The father was overjoyed at his son’s faith in manliness. He placed the administrative responsibility of his business on his shoulders. Success lies in one’s honest endeavour. A Vedic sage has also expressed identical views-“Courage lies in my right hand and success in my left hand.”

 

A Sanskrit poet has said that Laxmi-the goddess of wealth is loath to go to the following five types of persons:-

 

1. One who is given to sloth.

 

2. One who is cowardly.

 

3. One who has an air of arrogance.

 

4. One who always waits for an opportunity.

 

5. One who keeps waiting for a favourable public opinion.

 

The man who does not aspire for progress in life is lazy. He who remains sitting idle in the vain hope that the fortune will bloom upon him is also lazy. No one knows what is concealed in his fate. The illegible script of fortune can only be read in the light of manliness. No power can save a man’ life unless he himself is possessed of manliness. This earth is a plant which bears golden fruit only. Three kinds of persons-brave, scholarly and those dedi- Icated to the service of others have the capacity to pick them up.

 

 

 1. Which of the two-manliness and f you consider to be the better?

 

2. What kinds of persons Laxmi-the goddess of wealth-does not want to go to? Give illustrations in support of your answer.

 

3. Which of the short stories given in the chapter is the best in your view and why?