The Man who Went to Seek His Fortune

There was once a Zemindar or Jhut who was very poor, and he had a brother who was very rich, but the rich brother never helped him at all and often reproached him for his poverty.

One day the poor Zemindar determined to go out into the wide world to seek his fortune, and not to return until he had found it.

Having thus made up his mind he set out on his journey, and the first thing he came across was a King's Palace, which was in the hands of carpenters and masons; but no sooner had they built it up on one side, than the other side fell down, so that the place was at all times under repairs, and caused its owner much expense and anxiety.

As the Zemindar stood watching the place, the King came out, and asked him who he was, and where he was going; so he told him that it was to seek his fortune.

"Well, when you get to the place where you find it, will you think of me, and enquire the reason why my Palace is constantly falling down?"

This the Zemindar promised to do, and then continued on his journey.

The next place he arrived at was a river, and a turtle was on its bank. It asked him whither he was going, and he said: "To seek my fortune."

"Friend, remember me when it is found, and say that the poor turtle, although it lives in water, suffers from a severe burning sensation inwardly. Pray enquire the reason of this."

So the Zemindar promised, and, as a reward, the turtle bore him across the river on its back.

After another long journey, when he was both hungry and footsore, the Zemindar spied in the distance a most beautiful plum tree. It was the season for plums, so he determined to have a good feast of the fruit, and plucked one of the largest and best, but it tasted so bitter that he quickly threw it away, and, turning to the tree in anger and disappointment, cursed it.

"You are fair to look at, but otherwise good for nothing," he cried bitterly.

"Alas!" replied the tree, "this is what all travellers say to me. Yet I cannot discover why my fruits are bitter. Will you, O traveller, find out for me in your travels, and bring me word?"

After leaving the plum tree, the Zemindar went into a thick jungle, and in the midst of it found an old Fakir fast asleep. He did not know that this holy man had slept for twelve years, and was just about to awake. While he stood there the old Fakir opened his eyes, and saw him.

"Son, you have looked after me while I was asleep; who are you and where are you going?"

"I am going to seek my fortune, for I am a poor man."

"Go no further, but return the same way that you have come," said the old Fakir.

"Before I go, will you tell me, O holy Fakir, why a certain Rajah's house is always falling down, though he is constantly rebuilding it."

"The Rajah has a daughter who is grown up but unmarried; when she is married the trouble will cease."

"A turtle is troubled with burning sensations inwardly, and would be glad to know the cause."

"The turtle is full of wisdom, but selfishly keeps all its knowledge to itself. Let it tell half it knows to another, and it will become quite well."

"There is a beautiful plum tree whose fruits are bitter to the taste. What is the cause of this?"

"There is hidden treasure at the root of the tree, and when this is removed, the fruit will be sweet," said the old Fakir.

Then the Zemindar thanked him, made a low salaam, and returned the same way he had come.

First he met the plum tree, and it at once enquired if he had found out why its fruit was bitter, and he told it the reason.

"It is yours to remove that cause, my friend, so dig quickly, and see what there is at my roots."

The Zemindar did as he was bid, and found a box full of treasure--pearls, and gold, and rubies--so he tied them in his blanket, and went on his way.

At the river his friend the turtle awaited him eagerly; so the Zemindar explained everything, and the turtle said: "I will impart half the knowledge to you as a reward; stoop down and listen."

The man did as he was bid, and the creature imparted great wisdom to him in whispers.

After this he met the King, who said: "Well, traveller, what news? Have you found your fortune?"

"Yes, O King, and the cause of your trouble is, that, until your daughter is married, your house will continue to fall down."

"Will you marry her?" said the King.

The Zemindar gladly consented, and the marriage took place with great pomp. After it he returned to his own home, and there his elder brother met him.

"You see, brother," said the Zemindar, "that you said it was my fate to have but a seer of atta (flour a day), but I have found my good fortune at last."