King Vikramaditya was happy when Baital promised not to fly away any more. As he walked silently, Baital said to him, “Vikram, we are near the hermit’s place but there is still time for you to listen to my story. It may be the last one.” King Vikramaditya said, “So this will be your twenty-fifth story.” Baital replied, “True. These twenty-five stories will be called Baital Pachchisi. So, Baital started telling his story as follows:
Once, there were two men, Madan and Ratan, who lived on the island of Bali. They were very good friends. Once, they went on a business trip together and made a lot of profit. While they were returning, they entered a forest. They decided to count their earnings. So, putting all their money before them, they began to count it.
While they were busy counting their money, they were disturbed by the sudden wailing of a woman. She came to them. They asked her, “What is the matter? Why are you weeping?” The woman replied, “I am very sad. A few days back, I and my husband were passing through this forest when we were looted by robbers. They also killed my husband. Now, I have no one to live for.” Madan and Ratan were moved by the sad plight of the woman.
Both decided that the only way to help her was to get her married. They told the widow about this. The widow gave her consent. But both Madan and Ratan were interested in marrying her. So, they decided to write their names on two slips of paper and after folding them, asked the woman to pick up one of the slips. The woman picked up one slip. It was the slip with Madan’s name. So, Madan married the woman.
After a few years, Madan was blessed with a son. But sadly, he died soon after the birth of his child. Ratan was very much aggrieved at his friend’s death.
But Ratan’s problem was not over. There was a big problem waiting for him. Madan’s widow demanded half of Ratan’s property. As Madan had no partnership with Ratan, he refused to give any part of it. So, Madan’s widow appealed in the King’s court. The King heard the case and gave his judgement.
Here Baital stopped telling his story. He asked King Vikramaditya, “Was Madan’s widow justified in asking for a share in Ratan’s property?” King Vikramaditya replied, “Yes, she was justified in her demand.” “Why?” Baital asked. King Vikramaditya replied, “It is a fact that she was married to Madan. But one thing is also that she was found by both of them when they were business partners. Therefore, she had the same claim on both of them. On this basis, she was right in her claim for a share in Ratan’s property as well.” Baital was very happy and said, “You are right, Vikram. The King also gave the same judgement.”
