GENEROUS CHILD

One day, Indra wanted to tryout generosity of human beings. He magically transformed himself into an old lady, with a walking stick in one hand, while a ripe coconut in other, walking across a village with all stratum of society.

Arriving at a gate of a house where a man standing guard, she begged, "Master, please give me some gifts!" The man replied, "Old lady! I am a guardian; you should go away to beg others; my master did not use to donate." As the old lady implored again and again, the guardian went to tell his master, "Master! There was an old lady begging for donation." The master responded angrily: "Don't bother me! I am very busy. Push her out." The old lady left the house, saying in mind, "Why he is so stingy?"

The old lady continued her way and arrived at a quite large house without a guardian. She knocked the door and said: "Master! Please give me some alms for my survival." A married couple responded, "We both have a sum of money enough for our family only. If we gave you, from whom could we ask for charity later?" The old lady walked out of the house, saying in mind that "The two people used nice tone, but they are still stingy."
The old lady continued her way and arrived at a house where a party was being held. She walked straight to the house and said, "Master! Please give me some alms for my survival." Some revelers ignored while the others evaded as they were in full of happiness. The men shouted aggressively, "Get her away! Don't let her spoil the event." The old lady was pushed and she fell to ground, getting stained of dirt.

It was then late afternoon, and the old lady continued her way, arriving at a bodhi tree with large and cool shade where she laid down to relax for a while. A moment later, a cowherd boy walked past the tree with one hand carrying a string full of fishes and the other carrying a basket of crabs.

Seeing the old lady was in a sleep, the boy waked her up and asked, "Grandma! Why are you staying here, and where is your house?" The old lady got up and swiftly responded, "I have no house; please give me some charity for my survival." The boy replied, "Don't talk for now! Go to relax at my house, first!" The old lady felt very happy, standing up and said, "Let's go now! And, what's your name?" "I am Chak. I live with my mother in the small cottage there," the boy responded.

Chak walked his cows and got the lady to his hut. Chak dipped a coconut shell of drinking water from a clay pot for the lady. The old lady drank the water and said, "The water is cool, and how could you make it cool?" Chak told, "I took it from the pond and kept it in the clay pot in every morning, so that it is cool for thirsty people walking past here."

Chak took the lady to meet his mum. They three had meal together with grilled fishes and crabs Chak sought. After the dinner, the old lady asked Chak to stay at his house for a while. Chak asked her mother to let the lady stay. Chak took his only cotton scarf to contain a set of clothes he borrowed from his mother for the old lady.

The old lady tried out his generosity again and again. The old lady was extremely thrilled with his pure charity, saying to Chak that "Dear! You are so good to me; you the best people I have ever met," adding that "I wish to call you the generous child from now on. Eh! Accept this ripe coconut. It could help you achieve your intentions." Having said so, the old lady disappeared immediately.

Chak had attained their wishes ever since, and he had provided assistance to many people, regardless of their colors or positions. Chak had been respected and esteemed, and he was named" Generous Child" so far.

- The END -