(A Tale of Greed and Betrayal)

In a quiet village, a washerman named Ramu owned a loyal donkey named Bholu. Every day, Ramu loaded Bholu with heavy bundles of clothes, and the donkey carried them to the river without complaint. After a long day’s work, Ramu fed Bholu well, and in return, Bholu remained loyal to his master.

One night, while Bholu was resting in the shed, a scruffy street dog approached him.

Dog: “Brother, don’t you get tired of working all day? Carrying all those heavy clothes must be exhausting!”

Donkey (Bholu): “It’s tiring, but I’m used to it. I get food, shelter, and my master takes care of me when I’m sick. It’s a good life. And you? How’s life on the streets?”

The dog sighed, his eyes full of sorrow.

Dog: “It’s miserable. I’m always hungry. People chase me with sticks. I have no home, no one to care for me.”

Bholu felt sorry for the dog.

 

Dog: “Please, brother, speak to your master. Ask him to take me in. I’ll do any job!”

After much persuasion, Bholu agreed to help. The next morning, he spoke to Ramu.

Donkey: “Master, there’s a street dog who’s willing to work for food and shelter. Can you give him a chance?”

At first, Ramu was reluctant.

Ramu: “A dog? What can he do? He won’t be able to carry clothes like you.”

But Bholu insisted, and Ramu eventually gave in.

On his first day, the dog struggled under the weight of the clothes. His paws ached, and he was exhausted.

By the third day, he collapsed.

Dog: “Master, if you make me work today, I’ll surely die.”

Ramu sighed.

Ramu: “You’re not fit for this job. But I won’t turn you away. You can guard the house at night instead.”

The dog was relieved and readily agreed. But his laziness soon got the better of him. One night, while thieves broke into Ramu’s house, the dog dozed off, snoring loudly.

The next morning, Ramu discovered the theft. Furious, he grabbed a stick and confronted the dog.

Ramu: “You were supposed to guard the house, but you let the thieves rob me! You’re useless!”

Despite the dog’s pleas for forgiveness, Ramu chased him out with a stick.

Ramu: “Get out! And don’t ever come back!”

Bruised and limping, the dog wandered through the village. That night, he encountered two shady-looking men.

Thief 1: “Hey, isn’t that the washerman’s dog?”

Thief 2: “Looks like it. Poor thing. Thrown out, were you?”

The dog nodded.

Dog: “I tried to be loyal, but it wasn’t enough. I have nowhere to go.”

The thieves exchanged a sly glance.

Thief 1: “Maybe you can be useful to us.”

Dog: “How?”

Thief 2: “We’re not interested in Ramu anymore. His brother, Sohan, is wealthier. He has gold, money, and valuables. We need someone on the inside to keep an eye on his house.”

The dog hesitated.

Dog: “And what do I get in return?”

Thief 1: “Food. Shelter. No more wandering the streets.”

Desperate, the dog agreed.

A few weeks later, a distant relative invited Sohan,  Ramu and their family to a function in a nearby village. The entire household left, leaving Sohan’s house empty.

The dog saw his chance. He sneaked to the thieves’ hideout.

Dog: “Sohan and his family are away. The house is empty. Now’s your chance.”

The thieves grinned.

Thief 1: “Good job. Let’s move.”

That night, the thieves approached Sohan’s house, their sacks ready to be filled with gold and valuables. They crept silently toward the door, confident they wouldn’t be caught.

But as they began picking the lock, a loud, relentless braying shattered the silence.

Bholu: “Thieves! Thieves at Sohan’s house!”

The braying echoed through the village, waking up the neighbors. Lights flickered on, and people rushed out with sticks and torches.

Neighbor: “What’s going on?”

Bholu: “Thieves! Catch them!”

The villagers surrounded the house, blocking the thieves’ escape.

Thief 2: “Run!”

But it was too late. The villagers caught the thieves and tied them up. One of the neighbors noticed the dog lurking nearby.

Neighbor: “Wait a minute. Isn’t that Ramu’s dog? What’s he doing here?”

The villagers dragged the dog to Ramu’s house the next morning.

Ramu was shocked to see his former dog tied up with the thieves.

Ramu: “You betrayed me?”

The dog whimpered.

Dog: “I was desperate! You threw me out! I had no choice!”

Ramu’s eyes were cold.

Ramu: “There’s always a choice. You chose greed and betrayal.”

The villagers agreed.

Neighbor: “This dog isn’t loyal. He’s dangerous. He’ll betray anyone for his own gain.”

The villagers decided the dog would be banished from the village. As the dog was led away, he glanced back at Bholu.

Dog: “Brother, I just wanted a better life.”

Bholu shook his head.

Donkey: “A better life doesn’t come through betrayal. Greed only brings ruin.”

The dog hung his head in shame as he was taken out of the village, never to return.

Moral of the Story:

Greed and betrayal may offer temporary gains, but they always lead to ruin. True contentment comes from loyalty, honesty, and hard work.