Once, four friends—a carpenter, a tailor, a goldsmith and a Brahmin—lived in a small village. One day, they decided to go to other place in search of better jobs. So, they took their tools with them.
A long journey took them to a forest. Being tired they decided to spend the night under a tree.
The goldsmith said, “This jungle is full of dacoits and wild animals. So, night watch is a must.”
To stay awake and to pass time, the carpenter decided to keep himself busy. He took out his tools. He found a log near by and began to carve a doll out of it.
After two hours his watch was over. He woke up the tailor and gave him the doll before going to sleep. Seeing the doll the tailor wished to dress it up. He stitched a beautiful dress.
He dressed up the wooden doll. Now the doll looked very cute. When his watch duty was over, he woke the goldsmith up and handed over the doll to him. Then, he went to sleep. Now, the goldsmith used his craft to decorate the doll with the items of jewellery.
Lastly, it was Brahmin’s turn to keep watch. The goldsmith gave the decorated doll to him and went to sleep. Seeing the beauty of the doll the Brahmin wanted to put life in it. Using his mantra power he got the doll come alive.
In the morning, when the other friends woke up, they saw a beautifully dolled up bride there who anyone would want to marry. Arguments started. The carpenter said, “I made this doll from a piece of wood and so she is mine.”
The tailor said, “I was the one who dressed her up into a lady. So, she naturally belongs to me.” The goldsmith claimed, “In fact, as a duty I must marry her, because I bedecked her like a bride with my jewellery.”
The Brahmin said, “Dear friends, I put life into her, so I must make her my life-partner.” None of them was ready to give up one’s claim. At last, they decided to go to an elder to settle their dispute. After listening to their story the elder announced, “The carpenter made the doll and the Brahmin put life into it. They are like fathers to her. So they can’t marry her.”
“The tailor acted like a maternal uncle who brings clothes for the bride to dress her. So he too cannot marry her.” The elder added, “The goldsmith gave her the ornaments which a husband does. So, he should marry her.”
Moral : When in a fix, consult an elder.
