Page 22 - English Reader - 7

The Brahmin thought for a bit and decided to take the advice of the

animals and started walking away. However, the man’s cries grew
more piteous and the kind hearted Brahmin was unable to leave.
He threw the rope down and helped the man climb out.
“Many thanks,” said the man. “I’ll always be grateful to
you. I am a goldsmith and if you ever need anything,
please come to me.”

And finally the Brahmin was able to bid farewell to
the animals and each of them promised to help
him, should he ever need their assistance.

By the time the Brahmin reached the city, it
was late in the evening and he had to spend
the night under the stars. The following day,
he started looking for work. However, he
soon found that the Brahmins who were
already in the city and performed pujas,
did not take kindly to him and even

refused to take him as an assistant.
Though he spent many days trying
to find a job, he could find nothing.
Frustrated and sad at the thought
of his starving wife and sons, he
decided to kill himself. He would
have done so, but suddenly he
remembered the animals and the man in the well and the lives that he had saved. He decided to go

and meet them and see if they really kept their promises.
First he went to see the monkey, the one creature he was least afraid of. The monkey was happy to
see him and presented him with baskets of fresh fruits. The Brahmin who had not eaten very much
in the past few days, gobbled up the fruits hungrily. Never had food tasted so good! He thanked the

monkey and with a full stomach, and hence more courage, he decided to go and see the tiger. The
tiger welcomed the Brahmin with a cheerful growl and presented him with many gold ornaments
and jewels that he had taken from one of his recent preys. The Brahmin could not believe his luck.
Overjoyed, he thanked the tiger and headed back to the city, thinking of all the things he could now
buy for his wife and children.

But how would he sell the ornaments?
The thought reminded him of the goldsmith and his promise. After some hesitation, he headed for

the goldsmith’s house and showed him the jewels and ornaments and asked for his help in selling
the ornaments.

20