Stories from Hithopadhesha

The Foolish Barber:

Once in the city of Ayodhya, lived a man called Chudamani, the great follower of Lord Shiva. He did penance for years together to get a boon from Lord Shiva. Pleased by his penance, one day the Lord appeared before him. Chudamani prostrated before him and asked the Lord to make him wealthy. The Lord told him to shave his head and stand in a hidden place in his garden. Lord Shiva also told him to spring upon the beggar who would come that way - for, the beggar, said Lord Shiva, would immediately turn into a pot of gold.

Chudamani called his barber and shaved his head. The next morning, chudamani did according to the words of Lord Shiva. Aroused by curiosity, the barber too followed him.The beggar turned into a pot of gold. Chudamani was happy and took the pot inside. The barber, who watched all this, tried his luck the same way. The next day, he shaved his head and hid in the garden. As soon as the beggar came, he sprang upon him with his stick. Unable to bear the heavy blow of the stick, the beggar died. The barber was caught and imprisoned.

Moral: Stupid and greedy people will always pay a heavy price for their follies.