Vikram Betal:  The Tale of the Rich Man’s Servant

As King Vikram carried the mystical spirit Betal on his shoulders, Betal began to narrate a story to test the king’s wisdom.

There once lived a wealthy but miserly man named Dhani Ram. Known for his stinginess, Dhani Ram never donated to charity and was reluctant to part with his money. His loyal servant, Rameshwar, however, was kind-hearted and believed in helping others. One day, Dhani Ram decided that he wanted to be known as a charitable man but without actually being generous. He instructed Rameshwar, “Take this money and use it for charity, but make sure no one knows that I gave it.”

Rameshwar agreed, accepting the funds. He used the money to build a small inn by the roadside, where weary travelers could rest and eat for free. Soon, people began to praise Rameshwar for his kindness, unaware that Dhani Ram had provided the funds. Inspired by the gratitude and blessings of the travelers, Rameshwar asked Dhani Ram for more money to continue running the inn, and Dhani Ram reluctantly complied.

However, as time passed, Dhani Ram grew tired of funding the charity and stopped giving money to Rameshwar. Left with no resources to maintain the inn, Rameshwar was forced to charge the travelers a small fee to cover basic expenses. This sudden change angered some travelers, who had grown accustomed to the free services. One day, in their frustration, a few travelers attacked Rameshwar, leading to his tragic death.

After recounting this story, Betal posed a question to Vikram. “Tell me, O King, who is responsible for the death of Rameshwar? Is it Dhani Ram, who funded the charity initially but later withdrew support? Or is it the travelers, who attacked Rameshwar?”

Vikram, wise as ever, answered, “Rameshwar himself bears responsibility for his fate. Though his intentions were noble, he should have planned for the future and set a small fee from the beginning to maintain the inn sustainably. Relying solely on Dhani Ram’s inconsistent support was unwise. The travelers were accustomed to free services, and Rameshwar’s sudden change led to their frustration. While the travelers are also to blame for their violence, Rameshwar’s lack of foresight was the primary cause.”

Betal, pleased with Vikram’s thoughtful response, said, “You are indeed wise, O King. Your answer is correct. But remember, you spoke, so I must return to my tree.” Saying this, Betal escaped Vikram’s grasp and flew back to the tree, leaving Vikram to pursue him once more.

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**Moral:** The tale reminds us of the importance of planning and foresight. While generosity and kindness are admirable, true charity is sustainable and considers the long-term well-being of all involved.