Baba lived in a small hut on the edge of a forest. The only valuable thing he possessed was his beautiful white horse, Bijli, whom he loved like a child.
One day, some robbers were riding hard through the forest. They scattered to avoid being caught. The robber chief, Mangal, came to Baba’s hut. He watched the beautiful horse as Baba fed him and rubbed him down. Baba looked up and saw the robber watching him.
“Come, Mangal,” said Baba, “You must be tired and hungry as well.”
Baba gave him water to wash up and then offered him food and a bed. After seeing the horse Mangal had become very jealous of Baba. He wanted that horse very badly.
He asked, “Baba, why do you need a horse?”
“He’s not just a horse, Mangal. He’s my child!” replied Baba.
“Baba, he deserves to be with someone who is brave and strong, not with a hermit like you,” suggested Mangal. “Why not let me have him? I’ll give you a lot of gold in exchange.”
Baba laughed, “Would you sell your child, Mangal? I don’t think so. I won’t part with Bijli.”
No amount of persuasion worked. Finally, Mangal fell asleep, frustrated and angry. The next morning, he left after thanking Baba for his hospitality. He looked at Bijli as he left.
One night, Baba heard someone groaning, and found an old beggar lying under a tree. He picked him up and brought him to his hut.
He gave him some food and a bed to sleep on. In the night, he awoke hearing a soft sound. He saw the beggar get up and quietly open the door of the hut. The beggar did not seem to be in pain. He was very active! Baba followed him as he went round to the shed where Bijli was standing.
The beggar went up to the horse and untied him. The horse realised this was not his master. As he came out of the shed, he reared up. Suddenly the beggar saw Baba standing in the doorway, holding a lantern.
“You shouldn’t have come as a beggar, Mangal,” said Baba, “People will stop being kind to beggars if they know of this. So, please don’t tell them that you stole Bijli disguised as a beggar.”
Mangal stopped and stared at Baba. “You won’t stop me taking Bijli, but you are worried about beggars,” he asked in surprise.
“Kindness is more important than owning things, Mangal,” said Baba.
Mangal fell at Baba’s feet and asked for his forgiveness.
Moral: Kindness is more important than owning things.
