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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Kids
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Character Based
- Published: 06/06/2015
Shambu and the Gold Corn
Born 1982, F, from Mumbai, IndiaShambu and the Gold Corn
In the outskirts of the village Shahadapur lived a farmer Shambu with his wife Malvi. Shambu was the owner of a huge corn field which was right behind their cottage. Not until long ago were they considered to be among one of the wealthy farmer families of the village. Now, Shambu was a lazy glutton who would spend endless hours either sleeping or eating. He was fortunate to have inherited the family field being the only son to this father. He had a number of peasants who worked for him at the field. He, however, never visited the field and spent the better parts of the day lazing around the cottage. Luckily so far, good corn harvest brought them enough wealth to be able to live lavishly.
Being a voracious eater that he was, Shambu would ask Malvi to cook delicacies for him every day. "Aaah, this is life" Shambu would say as he would lick the last bit of rice pudding off his bowl. "Shambu, I really wish you would visit the field once a while and see how things are going on, instead of simply wasting your time doing nothing" Malvi would say. But Shambu would dismiss Malvi’s concern by replying “Oh Malvi, you worry too much. Everything is going on fine”. And so each time Malvi tried to persuade Shambu to take interest in his work, Shambu would evade it. But this did not continue for long. With each passing day Shambu only grew lazier, more careless and the only thing that grew was his size. The peasants with no supervision and no guidance soon abandoned him one by one.
A whole year passed by since all the peasants left. Shambu and Malvi were thriving only on whatever surplus money they had with them so far. Now however, things had gotten really sorry for Shambu and Malvi. Malvi was very worried with Shambu's indifference. Shedding huge tear drops she said "Shambu, we have nothing left to eat! Will you please get up and do something now. “Quit worrying Malvi! I'm sure something will come along" said Shambu while heading towards the bedroom. Just then Malvi heard a soft knock on their cottage door. Malvi opened the door to find Sage Nitya standing in his orange robe.
Now, Sage Nitya was a very wise Sage who would often pass Shahadapur village. Whenever he did, he would stop by Shambu and Malvi's cottage for food and water. Malvi and Shambu were always very hospitable towards the Sage and served him good food and water. The Sage immediately noticed Malvi's disturbed expressions. He asked Malvi “My dear child, may I ask you the reason for the troubled look on your face? I have always seen you smiling and full of energy". Malvi replies “Oh wise Sage Nitya, you are right in your observation. I am indeed worried" and she explains the reason. Sage Nitya smiles kindly at her and says "Do not worry dear child, I have a solution to your problem. I think it is time for Shambu to learn a permanent lesson. I request you to please call him outside." Malvi does as she is told. Shambu comes and pays his respects to the Sage. Sage Nitya tells Shambu "Shambu my child, Malvi tells me how things have changed over the past few years and how this year particularly has been going tough for you. You and your wife have been very generous and kind to me all these years. I would like to help you. The sage continues in slow clear words- “I hereby bestow a boon on you. Listen attentively - In your field, you will find a corn made of gold. I cannot tell you where it is. No one but you will be able to find it. The gold corn is to help you out of your situation. How it is going to help you is for you to understand. I shall only tell you one thing that you must remember - The corn will stay true to its worth only if you stay true to your deeds.”
Shambu on hearing this was overcome with excitement. He thanked the sage profusely and in a rush left for the fields immediately. On reaching the field, he frantically started clearing the harvest to locate the gold corn. He started to pile all the plucked corns together in a heap. After toiling for six straight hours, and clearing a substantial portion of the field, he finally found the gold corn. Shambu's joy knew no bounds. He carried the harvest and the golden corn back home in triumph. On reaching his cottage, he called out to Malvi and said “Look Malvi, I found the gold corn! I had to clear quite a bit of the harvest but I finally found it! I am going to sell it first thing in the morning tomorrow, and imagine! With the money I won't have to work anymore! Malvi suspected Shambu would react in this manner. She grew concerned and said "Shambu, please remember what Sage Nitya said, the value of the corn will only stay so as will your deeds. This is not right. It's your field. Why do you thinking of never having to work again? You must not shun away your duty." "Malvi, you forget the sage also said the golden corn is to help us out of this situation. I am doing the right thing. By selling the corn we are going to get money and we will get out of this situation" said Shambu with resolve. And so Shambu would not hear another word from Malvi.
Next morning Shambu was getting ready to leave the house for the city. Malvi knew Shambu's visit would not bear fruit. She thought to herself “He needs to learn a lesson the hard way around". She pleaded to Shambu "Please at least carry the harvest with you and sell it while you are visiting the city". Shambu frowned but said" Okay Malvi, only on your insistence, though I tell you, it will be unnecessary". Shambu packed the gold corn in paper and put it in his cloth bag. He then stacked the corn harvest in a gunny bag. Carrying the cloth and gunny bag he left for the bus stop to head towards the city. Once he disembarked the bus, he headed straight for the goldsmith shop. Hurriedly he removed the packed corn from his cloth bag and placed it onto the glass top counter in the shop. He started to open it with a huge smile but as his eyes fell on the opened pack he was utterly shocked! The gold corn had turned into an ordinary corn just like any other corn! "This must be a mistake" thought Shambu. "I'm sure I put the right corn in the bag, how can this be possible?" Feeling utterly dejected he left the shop.
Shambu was perplexed. While walking through the city he thought to himself, “now that I am in the city, I might as well visit the store to sell the harvest”. He had to wait in line at the store for four hours, but he finally got a good amount for the harvest. The long wait had tired Shambu and his stomach had started to rumble. Now that he had some money, Shambu thought, "Let's have a proper meal today". It has been a long time since I had a wholesome meal made by Malvi. He bought some fruits, vegetable and sweetmeats and headed for home.
Once he reached home he narrated everything to Malvi. She listened patiently nodding and said "Don't be disappointed Shambu. At least we got some money from the harvest. Let me cook you a fantastic meal." She kept the gold corn still packed in the brown paper safely in the top drawer of the cabinet and went to cook. In the time Shambu washed himself and relaxed a bit Malvi got him what looked like a meal fit for the kings. Shambu was so hungry and happy to see the meal he rushed to the plate and ate every last morsel that was on the plate. Shambu had a satisfied meal in a really long time. "Aaah, this is life! I have really missed this Malvi" said Shambu. Malvi smiled and said "Yes Shambu, this indeed is life. This life is possible because you worked hard at the field yesterday. You deserved this meal today." The truth of this statement made by Malvi struck Shambu and he spent the entire night thinking about it.
Next morning Shambu was up and ready at the crack of dawn. He called out to Malvi and said, I'm going to go to the fields and then to the city with the harvest. On the way back I shall buy some vegetables. He added “I shall also buy some seeds, manure and fertilizers for the field.” Malvi gleamed and said "I'm so glad you are thinking about the future Shambu Goodbye, see you soon”. Malvi thought to herself “Shambu seems to have changed overnight! He left for work on his own today!” She thanked Sage Nitya inwardly.
As days passed, Shambu forgot all about the gold corn in the drawer. His sole focus now was on farming. He diligently worked hard at the field each day and enjoyed toiling. He realized this is not something he had to do but something he wanted to do. He got very good money out of his harvest. In a year he was able to hire two peasants to work with him. He would work with the peasants from dawn to dusk every day. Shambu grew fit and felt active and full of life like he never had felt before.
After nearly a year and half, Sage Nitya paid them a visit. He noticed visible changes in Shambu and Malvi. He was very pleased to see their happy and smiling faces. "Shambu you look in excellent condition!" said Sage Nitya."Did you find the gold corn"?
Shambu then remembered the corn in the drawer and went on to explain how he found the gold corn and how the very next day went off to sell it. He narrated how he found the corn had turned ordinary at the goldsmith shop. He added that on returning, Malvi had kept it away and that they have not seen it all these months. "Well maybe the time has come for you to look at it now" says the Sage. "I'll get it" says Malvi. She gets the brown packet from the drawer and hands it over to Shambu. Shambu opens the packet slowly. When he opens the pack completely he becomes very quite. The corn is gleaming gold! Realization dawns on Shambu. He touches the Sages feet and says "Thank you, Oh wise one. I now understand how this corn was meant to help me. I would have never gone to the fields and never learnt to work hard if it were not for this corn. Initially, I was only lured to this gold corn for its value, but what I failed to understand was that every corn growing in my field is actually invaluable. This is just one gold corn; I have a whole field with corns that are as valuable to me as gold. After all, it is these corns that earn me bread and butter and that ensure good health for me and my family day on day."
Shambu went on to say "I am going to keep this gold corn on top of the cabinet where I can always see it. This will remind me to be true to my work. And if I ever see it change color, I will know it is time to work harder". Malvi on hearing this sheds happy tears, while Sage Nitya lets out a hearty laugh and says "Now, that’s a golden thought Shambu!"
THE END
Shambu and the Gold Corn(Bhavna Ate)
Shambu and the Gold Corn
In the outskirts of the village Shahadapur lived a farmer Shambu with his wife Malvi. Shambu was the owner of a huge corn field which was right behind their cottage. Not until long ago were they considered to be among one of the wealthy farmer families of the village. Now, Shambu was a lazy glutton who would spend endless hours either sleeping or eating. He was fortunate to have inherited the family field being the only son to this father. He had a number of peasants who worked for him at the field. He, however, never visited the field and spent the better parts of the day lazing around the cottage. Luckily so far, good corn harvest brought them enough wealth to be able to live lavishly.
Being a voracious eater that he was, Shambu would ask Malvi to cook delicacies for him every day. "Aaah, this is life" Shambu would say as he would lick the last bit of rice pudding off his bowl. "Shambu, I really wish you would visit the field once a while and see how things are going on, instead of simply wasting your time doing nothing" Malvi would say. But Shambu would dismiss Malvi’s concern by replying “Oh Malvi, you worry too much. Everything is going on fine”. And so each time Malvi tried to persuade Shambu to take interest in his work, Shambu would evade it. But this did not continue for long. With each passing day Shambu only grew lazier, more careless and the only thing that grew was his size. The peasants with no supervision and no guidance soon abandoned him one by one.
A whole year passed by since all the peasants left. Shambu and Malvi were thriving only on whatever surplus money they had with them so far. Now however, things had gotten really sorry for Shambu and Malvi. Malvi was very worried with Shambu's indifference. Shedding huge tear drops she said "Shambu, we have nothing left to eat! Will you please get up and do something now. “Quit worrying Malvi! I'm sure something will come along" said Shambu while heading towards the bedroom. Just then Malvi heard a soft knock on their cottage door. Malvi opened the door to find Sage Nitya standing in his orange robe.
Now, Sage Nitya was a very wise Sage who would often pass Shahadapur village. Whenever he did, he would stop by Shambu and Malvi's cottage for food and water. Malvi and Shambu were always very hospitable towards the Sage and served him good food and water. The Sage immediately noticed Malvi's disturbed expressions. He asked Malvi “My dear child, may I ask you the reason for the troubled look on your face? I have always seen you smiling and full of energy". Malvi replies “Oh wise Sage Nitya, you are right in your observation. I am indeed worried" and she explains the reason. Sage Nitya smiles kindly at her and says "Do not worry dear child, I have a solution to your problem. I think it is time for Shambu to learn a permanent lesson. I request you to please call him outside." Malvi does as she is told. Shambu comes and pays his respects to the Sage. Sage Nitya tells Shambu "Shambu my child, Malvi tells me how things have changed over the past few years and how this year particularly has been going tough for you. You and your wife have been very generous and kind to me all these years. I would like to help you. The sage continues in slow clear words- “I hereby bestow a boon on you. Listen attentively - In your field, you will find a corn made of gold. I cannot tell you where it is. No one but you will be able to find it. The gold corn is to help you out of your situation. How it is going to help you is for you to understand. I shall only tell you one thing that you must remember - The corn will stay true to its worth only if you stay true to your deeds.”
Shambu on hearing this was overcome with excitement. He thanked the sage profusely and in a rush left for the fields immediately. On reaching the field, he frantically started clearing the harvest to locate the gold corn. He started to pile all the plucked corns together in a heap. After toiling for six straight hours, and clearing a substantial portion of the field, he finally found the gold corn. Shambu's joy knew no bounds. He carried the harvest and the golden corn back home in triumph. On reaching his cottage, he called out to Malvi and said “Look Malvi, I found the gold corn! I had to clear quite a bit of the harvest but I finally found it! I am going to sell it first thing in the morning tomorrow, and imagine! With the money I won't have to work anymore! Malvi suspected Shambu would react in this manner. She grew concerned and said "Shambu, please remember what Sage Nitya said, the value of the corn will only stay so as will your deeds. This is not right. It's your field. Why do you thinking of never having to work again? You must not shun away your duty." "Malvi, you forget the sage also said the golden corn is to help us out of this situation. I am doing the right thing. By selling the corn we are going to get money and we will get out of this situation" said Shambu with resolve. And so Shambu would not hear another word from Malvi.
Next morning Shambu was getting ready to leave the house for the city. Malvi knew Shambu's visit would not bear fruit. She thought to herself “He needs to learn a lesson the hard way around". She pleaded to Shambu "Please at least carry the harvest with you and sell it while you are visiting the city". Shambu frowned but said" Okay Malvi, only on your insistence, though I tell you, it will be unnecessary". Shambu packed the gold corn in paper and put it in his cloth bag. He then stacked the corn harvest in a gunny bag. Carrying the cloth and gunny bag he left for the bus stop to head towards the city. Once he disembarked the bus, he headed straight for the goldsmith shop. Hurriedly he removed the packed corn from his cloth bag and placed it onto the glass top counter in the shop. He started to open it with a huge smile but as his eyes fell on the opened pack he was utterly shocked! The gold corn had turned into an ordinary corn just like any other corn! "This must be a mistake" thought Shambu. "I'm sure I put the right corn in the bag, how can this be possible?" Feeling utterly dejected he left the shop.
Shambu was perplexed. While walking through the city he thought to himself, “now that I am in the city, I might as well visit the store to sell the harvest”. He had to wait in line at the store for four hours, but he finally got a good amount for the harvest. The long wait had tired Shambu and his stomach had started to rumble. Now that he had some money, Shambu thought, "Let's have a proper meal today". It has been a long time since I had a wholesome meal made by Malvi. He bought some fruits, vegetable and sweetmeats and headed for home.
Once he reached home he narrated everything to Malvi. She listened patiently nodding and said "Don't be disappointed Shambu. At least we got some money from the harvest. Let me cook you a fantastic meal." She kept the gold corn still packed in the brown paper safely in the top drawer of the cabinet and went to cook. In the time Shambu washed himself and relaxed a bit Malvi got him what looked like a meal fit for the kings. Shambu was so hungry and happy to see the meal he rushed to the plate and ate every last morsel that was on the plate. Shambu had a satisfied meal in a really long time. "Aaah, this is life! I have really missed this Malvi" said Shambu. Malvi smiled and said "Yes Shambu, this indeed is life. This life is possible because you worked hard at the field yesterday. You deserved this meal today." The truth of this statement made by Malvi struck Shambu and he spent the entire night thinking about it.
Next morning Shambu was up and ready at the crack of dawn. He called out to Malvi and said, I'm going to go to the fields and then to the city with the harvest. On the way back I shall buy some vegetables. He added “I shall also buy some seeds, manure and fertilizers for the field.” Malvi gleamed and said "I'm so glad you are thinking about the future Shambu Goodbye, see you soon”. Malvi thought to herself “Shambu seems to have changed overnight! He left for work on his own today!” She thanked Sage Nitya inwardly.
As days passed, Shambu forgot all about the gold corn in the drawer. His sole focus now was on farming. He diligently worked hard at the field each day and enjoyed toiling. He realized this is not something he had to do but something he wanted to do. He got very good money out of his harvest. In a year he was able to hire two peasants to work with him. He would work with the peasants from dawn to dusk every day. Shambu grew fit and felt active and full of life like he never had felt before.
After nearly a year and half, Sage Nitya paid them a visit. He noticed visible changes in Shambu and Malvi. He was very pleased to see their happy and smiling faces. "Shambu you look in excellent condition!" said Sage Nitya."Did you find the gold corn"?
Shambu then remembered the corn in the drawer and went on to explain how he found the gold corn and how the very next day went off to sell it. He narrated how he found the corn had turned ordinary at the goldsmith shop. He added that on returning, Malvi had kept it away and that they have not seen it all these months. "Well maybe the time has come for you to look at it now" says the Sage. "I'll get it" says Malvi. She gets the brown packet from the drawer and hands it over to Shambu. Shambu opens the packet slowly. When he opens the pack completely he becomes very quite. The corn is gleaming gold! Realization dawns on Shambu. He touches the Sages feet and says "Thank you, Oh wise one. I now understand how this corn was meant to help me. I would have never gone to the fields and never learnt to work hard if it were not for this corn. Initially, I was only lured to this gold corn for its value, but what I failed to understand was that every corn growing in my field is actually invaluable. This is just one gold corn; I have a whole field with corns that are as valuable to me as gold. After all, it is these corns that earn me bread and butter and that ensure good health for me and my family day on day."
Shambu went on to say "I am going to keep this gold corn on top of the cabinet where I can always see it. This will remind me to be true to my work. And if I ever see it change color, I will know it is time to work harder". Malvi on hearing this sheds happy tears, while Sage Nitya lets out a hearty laugh and says "Now, that’s a golden thought Shambu!"
THE END
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