Once upon a time there lived a weaver in a big town. He was very expert at weaving and embroidering silk. So, he was very popular with royal families even. But it was a strange fact that he could just make his both ends meet. On the contrary, the weavers, who wove only coarse cloth, earned much more and lived in prosperity.
The weaver often complained of this strange fact. His wife, however, was a very wise lady. She tried to assuage him by saying, “It’s the fate who decides Life, Death, Money, Health and Fame of an individual. We should not grumble over our lot. Rather, we should thank the Almighty for what he is giving us.”
But the weaver seized with another belief. He often thought that the town, he was living in, was not at all lucky for him. And so, he must go somewhere else to earn more wealth. Not able to control himself, one day the weaver said to his wife,” Darling! This town has not proved lucky for us. I want to go to another town and earn a lot of money.
But the wife tried to console him saying,” Darling! You are still mistaken. Try to realize the reality of facts- one gets only what one is fated to get, wherever he may live.” But the weaver was adamant on leaving home for another town.
And the very next morning, he said good-bye to his town.
Coming to a new town, the weaver worked very hard for three long years. He was able to save five hundred gold coins. Now he made up his mind to return to his town. So, winding up his business, he set out for his native town.
The weaver’s town was a long way off indeed. So, he was just in the midst of a forest when night fell. Seeing the night darkness prevailing fast, the weaver thought of passing the night on a big banyan tree standing by the way-side. So, he lay down between two thick branches of the banyan tree. While lying down he hid his wallet of gold coins under his waist cloth. Soon he fell fast asleep snoring heavily.
While sleeping soundly, the weaver had a dream and saw two angels discussing a point about him. One of the angels said to the other, “You know that this person is destined to have a hand-to-mouth living only. Why did you give him five hundred gold coins then ?”
The second angel replied, “It’s my duty. I am bound to reward those who puts in labour. I have done my job. You can do yours. I won’t stop you.”
Just then, the weaver’s dream was over and he woke up with a start. He was surprised to find his wallet of coins just empty. The coins had disappeared quite mysteriously.
Wailing over his loss, the weaver returned to the town where he had earned the gold coins. He thought it unwise and shameful to go to his own town empty-handed.
Reaching the town, the weaver again set about labouring hard. This time he was able to save five hundred gold coins within two years only. So, once again, he left for his native town.
As luck would have it, when he reached the same banyan tree, darkness began to prevail. So, he was forced to pass the night thereon itself.
Again he had a dream as soon as he fell fast asleep. The same two angels again appeared discussing a point about the weaver’s money as before. When the dream was over, the weaver again found his gold coins gone. This happening broke the weaver’s heart and he decided to end his life there and then itself.
The weaver made a noose of his shawl and put it around his neck. He was just going to hang himself when a divine voice said, “Stop ! Stop!! Why are you taking your own life ? Your life span is not over. Committing suicide won’t ease you of pain in the hereafter”.
“Who are you ? Come before me and say clearly what you want to say,” replied the weaver.
“I am your Fate. You are not fated to get more than a hand-to-mouth living. So, your gold coins have disappeared again. Don’t lament over the loss. Learn to bow to the will of Almighty,” replied the voice.
“I don’t know what to do ? Guide me, kindly, O Fate !” entreated the weaver.
“You are a very industrious person with a robust will power. So, I bestow upon you a favour to ask me for any boon,” replied the Fate.
“Then give me immense wealth,” retorted the weaver in no time.
“O.K., I will, but let me know what you will do with it. You cannot spend it and live happily because you are fated to live just from hand to mouth,” argued the Fate.
“Give me wealth and it shall teach me how to spend it too,” retorted the weaver.
“For it, you will have to return to the town where you earned your gold coins. Go and see two traders one by one. Their names are Guptadhan and Bhuktadhan. After seeing them take your decision-what type of rich man you would like to be. Then come back here and see me in your dream. I shall grant you your boon according to your desire,” explained the Fate.
The weaver was highly amazed and disappointed also. He returned to the town where he had his business. Locating the house of Guptadhan, he reached there at sunset. He requested Guptadhan for shelter to pass the night. But the miserly man rebuked him. But then, at the instance of his wife, he gave the weaver a little food and asked him to pass the night in the outer verandah.
Soon the weaver fell fast asleep and had a dream again. The same two angels appeared and one of them said to the other, “Was Guptadhan fated to have the money that he has spent on the weaver’s food ?”
“I have done my job; you can do yours now,” replied the other angel.
Next morning, Guptadhan had an attack of cholera and didn’t eat any food the whole day long. In other words, the food given to the weaver came to be accounted for.
Next evening, the weaver reached the house of Bhuktadhan and requested him for shelter. There he was received warmly and entertained with rich food. He was given a fine bed to sleep on as well. As soon as he was fast asleep, he had a dream. The same angels appeared and one of them said to the other, “Bhuktadhan had to borrow money to entertain the weaver. How will the loan be repaid by Bhuktadhan?”
“I have done my job; you can do yours now,” pat came the reply from the other angel.
Next morning, a royal officer came to Bhuktadhan’s house and said, “Sir, here is some money that you paid in excess of the real amount of the tax.” Thus the loan Bhuktadhan had taken the previous night came to be paid back.
So, the weaver decided to be a liberal rich man like Bhuktadhan. He came back to the banyan tree and remembered the Angel of Fate who appeared without delay. The weaver’s wish was granted. The Angel of Fate told the weaver that wealth moves from one person to another in three modes:
1. Either it is given in charity to those who need it,
2. Or it is spent on comforts/luxuries of the owner,
3. Or it is squandered, looted or thieved.
The weaver at once said, “Sir, I am satisfied and contended in whatever Almighty has granted me. In addition, I shall spend a part of my wealth on myself and my family. The rest of it I shall give in charity to the needy. This is my promise”.
Hearing this, the Angel of Fate smiled his approval and disappeared.
