The Thief's Sacrifice

King Vikramaditya walked through the dark forest, the wind howling around him. The vampire Betal whispered in his ear. “O King, you are very determined. But tell me, do you understand one thing? Can a bad person do a good deed? Listen to this story.”

In the bustling city of Ujjain, there lived a lovely young woman named Madhusena. She was kind and honest. However, she was in a difficult situation. She had promised her childhood friend, a young man named Raman, that she would meet him one last time to say a proper goodbye before she started her new life. But her father arranged her marriage to another man, a wealthy merchant named Datta. On her wedding night, Madhusena looked sad. Her husband, Datta, asked her, “Why are you crying on such a happy day?” Madhusena, being truthful, told him about her promise. “I vowed to see Raman one last time to say goodbye. I cannot break my word.” Datta was a good man. He saw her honesty. “You are a woman of honor,” he said. “Go. Keep your promise and return to me before sunrise. I trust you.”

Madhusena ran out into the dark streets. The city was quiet. As she turned a corner, a fierce Thief jumped out from the shadows. He held a sharp knife. “Halt!” he growled. “Hand over your gold jewelry! Give me your necklace and your bangles, or you will not pass!” Madhusena was terrified, but she remembered her promise. “Brother Thief,” she said bravely. “I have no weapons. But I have a promise to keep. I am going to meet my childhood friend to say goodbye. My husband has given me permission because I gave my word. If you steal my jewelry now, I will be late. Please, let me go. I promise on my honor that when I return, I will give you all my jewels freely.”

The Thief was stunned. He had never met someone so truthful. “You promise to come back to be robbed?” he asked, amazed. “I promise,” said Madhusena. “Go then,” said the Thief, stepping aside.

She reached Raman’s house. Raman was surprised to see her. When she told him that her husband had let her come, Raman felt ashamed of his own selfishness. “Your husband is a noble man,” said Raman. “I cannot disrespect him or you. You have kept your word. Now go back to him with my blessings.” He did not touch her.

Madhusena ran back. True to her word, she found the Thief waiting. “Here I am,” she said, taking off her necklace. “You let me pass, and I have kept my promise. Take my jewelry.” The Thief looked at the shining gold. Then he looked at the brave woman. His heart, usually hard as stone, melted. “If your husband could trust you to go,” said the Thief, “and your friend could send you back safely… am I the only wicked one here? No! I may be a thief, but I am not a monster.” He pushed her hand away. “Keep your jewels, sister. Your truth is more valuable than gold. Go home.”

Madhusena returned to her husband safely. They lived happily ever after.

Betal asked, “Now, King Vikram, who was the noblest? The Husband, the Friend, or the Thief? Answer!”

Vikramaditya replied, “The Thief was the noblest. The Husband acted out of love and duty to his wife. The Friend acted out of shame and respect for social rules. But the Thief? He had no reason to be good. his job is to steal. Yet, he let go of a fortune purely because he respected her truth. He showed a spark of goodness that went against his very nature.”

“Correct!” shrieked Betal. “But you spoke!” And with a laugh, he flew back to his tree.

Moral of the Story: Even in the most unlikely places, goodness can shine. Truth disarms even a thief.