It was evening time, and many villagers had gathered in the village square. The head of the village, Sarpanch Hardayal, along with the other village leaders, was waiting for Bansi Kaka.
Sarpanch asked angrily, “Hariya, didn’t you tell Bansi to come to the village meeting?”
Hariya got nervous and replied, “Yes, Sarpanch, I told him yesterday, and he said he would come. I don’t know why he hasn’t arrived yet.”
The Sarpanch said, “Go to his house quickly, and if he refuses to come, bring him by force!”
As Hariya was about to leave, Bansi Kaka and his son Shyam appeared in the distance. When they reached, the Sarpanch asked, “Bansi, why didn’t you come on time? Hariya told you to be here!”
Bansi Kaka, folding his hands, said, “Please forgive me, Sarpanch ji. I was busy fixing a broken fence in my field, and I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.”
One of the village leaders said, “Let’s move on with the meeting. We’ve already been delayed.”
The Sarpanch then spoke, “Bansi, your son Shyam fought with Kunwarpal’s son in school yesterday. After that, he let his goats loose in Kunwarpal’s field, which destroyed all his crops.”
Bansi Kaka stood quietly, but Shyam spoke up, “Sarpanch ji, his son started the fight. He insulted me, saying, ‘What is a poor beggar like you doing in school? Go and herd goats!’”
The Sarpanch then asked Kunwarpal, “Where is your son? Call him here, we need to hear his side of the story.”
Kunwarpal replied, “Sarpanch ji, my son was beaten so badly by Shyam that he cannot even get up.”
The Sarpanch, now angry, said, “Shyam, how could you beat him so badly over a small argument?”
At this, Bansi Kaka could no longer stay silent. He said, “Sarpanch ji, you’re only listening to one side of the story. Kunwarpal’s son is lying. In fact, several boys ganged up and beat my son. Look at the marks on Shyam’s back.”
Bansi Kaka removed Shyam’s shirt to show the bruises.
Seeing this, Kunwarpal got nervous but said, “He’s lying! My crops were destroyed because he let the goats loose in my field. Bansi must pay for the damage!”
The Sarpanch said, “We are here to find out the truth. Bring your son here, Kunwarpal.”
Kunwarpal, realizing he was losing, softened and said, “There’s no need to bring him. Just make Bansi pay for the damage to my crops.”
The Sarpanch turned to Bansi Kaka and said, “Bansi, it was a fight between kids, but your son did ruin Kunwarpal’s crops. You will have to pay compensation.”
Shyam angrily shouted, “You are all rich cheaters! His crops are fine, and his son is not hurt at all. You are just trying to take our land.”
Bansi Kaka scolded Shyam, “Stay quiet! Why did you get into a fight in the first place? Now we are in trouble because of you.”
Bansi Kaka, looking at the Sarpanch, said, “If you don’t believe me, Sarpanch ji, let’s go to the field and see for yourself. Kunwarpal’s crops are still standing tall.”
Kunwarpal tried to stop them, “There’s no need to check the field. My men have already cleared the damaged crops.”
Shyam, frustrated, said, “Father, these people will never give us justice. Let’s go home. We won’t pay a single penny.”
Shyam forcefully took his father home. He convinced his parents to leave the village and move to the city.
Bansi Kaka was worried, “Son, what will we do in the city? We only know farming.”
Shyam replied, “Don’t worry, father. We’ll make a new life here.”
In the city, they started with nothing. After a few days, Shyam found work cleaning cars, and Bansi Kaka started working as a laborer. They even managed to rent a small hut.
One day, while returning home, Shyam saw an old man sitting sadly by the roadside. Shyam asked, “Baba, why do you look so worried?”
The old man replied, “Son, some thieves stole my bag. I don’t even have money to go back home.”
Shyam asked, “How much do you need, Baba?”
The old man said, “I need 100 rupees to take the bus home.”
Without thinking twice, Shyam gave him all the money he had earned that day. The old man, touched, said, “This was your entire day’s earnings. What will you do now?”
Shyam, with tears in his eyes, said, “Baba, I know how it feels to be without a home. We had to leave our village because of poverty. Helping you is more important than my meal.”
The old man smiled and said, “Meet me here tomorrow at the same time, son. I will be waiting for you.”
Shyam replied, “There’s no need to come back, Baba. I didn’t help you expecting anything in return.”
The next evening, as Shyam was passing by the same spot, a luxurious car stopped beside him. To his surprise, the old man was sitting in the car! He invited Shyam in and said, “Son, I’m here to take you to your home.”
Shyam was confused, “Baba, yesterday you needed 100 rupees, and today you are in this fancy car?”
The old man laughed and explained, “Yesterday, I was in the same car. A thief stole my bag after I stepped out. Your kindness touched me deeply. Now, I want to help you and your family.”
The old man took Shyam home and met his parents. He offered Bansi Kaka and his wife jobs looking after his house and enrolled Shyam in school.
A few days later, the old man took the family back to their village. He used his influence to free their land from the Sarpanch’s clutches. The villagers were amazed to see how wealthy and successful Bansi Kaka and his family had become.
From that day on, Bansi Kaka and his family visited their village once a month, and sometimes the kind old man joined them.
Moral of the story: Good deeds always bring good rewards.