Imitation Or Real
Once their lived a poor teacher Haridas with his wife in a village. He earned his living by teaching in the village school. His wife, Mala, managed the household very efficiently. Both were liked by everyone in the village.
One day, Mala told her husband “The festival is nearing. I have to pay a visit to my parent’s house. This will be my first visit to them since our marriage.”
“Right. You ought to go in a new saree. I will buy a new one from the market tomorrow.” Said Haridas.
“You are sensible. Buy two sarees. But just pair of sarees will do?” asked Mala
“No! What more you must have?” asked haridas in return.
“A gold necklace. My parents will be happy. They will think highly of you” replied Mala
Haridas looked very pensive. He was worried that he did not have that kind of money to buy a gold necklace. Seeing her husband worried Mala said “Take these silver bangles. They are useless. In exchange get a gold necklace.”
Haridas became happy. He thought he will get a gold necklace without any extra cost.
Next day Haridas went to the market. He went to a goldsmith shop and told him about his exchange plan. Hearing the plan the goldsmith smiled and said “It is not possible to get a gold necklace even for ten pairs of bangles like these. Better buy a necklace of imitation gold. It is guaranteed to dazzle like pure gold.”
Hearing this haridas was hesitant. But soon he made up his mind and bought the most elegant imitation gold necklace.
After returning home he requested his wife to go with the imitation one and promised her to buy a real one next year.
Mala was very happy. After reaching her parent’s house she told everyone that her necklace was pure gold.
Mala’s brother rajuram and sister-in-law Chaya were fascinated with the necklace. At night, Chaya started crying in front of her husband “Mala’s husband bought a gold necklace within a year of their marriage. We have been married for five years and you have not bought a gold ring for me.”
“I am sorry. I will go and buy you a gold chain tomorrow.” Rajuram tried to console his wife.
But upon meeting the goldsmith next day Rajuram realized that to buy a gold chain was not in his means.
“Can you show me a necklace that is cheap but looks like gold?” asked Rajuram.
“Certainly.” Responded the goldsmith. He showed few imitation necklaces. One of them looked like Mala’s necklace. Rajuram bought that necklace.
After returning home Rajuram explained to Chaya that the necklace is an imitation and assured her to buy a gold chain soon.
Seeing the necklace Chaya was very happy and showed everyone saying that it is made of pure gold.
Now both Chaya and Mala became jealous of each other thinking other’s necklace to be pure gold.
Next day when Mala went to take a bath, Chaya entered her room and replaced Mala’s necklace with her necklace. She was happy thinking that the real gold necklace is in her possession now.
When Chaya went for a bath Mala did the same thing. She was satisfied that gold necklace is now hers.
Since the exchange, both of them did not bother their husband by demanding gold necklace. Though both were in possession of their own imitation necklaces, each thinking she has usurped the other’s necklace.
The End