Kashmir named Gulab Pandit who had lately grown poor, It was because his father and grandfather used to spend money too liberally. They had borrowed a lot from some other wealthy men of the town which Gulab had to repay.
But Gulab never let anybody know his condition. He was courteous and generous to all as usual. However, he was greatly worried about his daughter. She was a beautiful girl and was of marriageable age. But he had no
means to arrange for a wedding ceremony.
One day a fellow named Viman Singh told Gulab Pandit, “Can I marry your daughter?”
Gulab was shocked at the fellow’s audacity. Viman was an elderly man and had a bad reputation as a money-lender. He never returned the ornaments the poor folk pledged with him against paltry loans.
“Viman, I don’t think you’re being sensible with your proposal!” said Gulab.
“In other words, you don’t think that I’d make a good enough match for your beautiful daughter!” said Viman Singh with anger.
“Precisely!” said Gulab gravely.
Viman went away in a huff. The same day he contacted a bandit and told him, “Gulab Pandit must be having a lot of money and ornaments ready for his daughter’s wedding. Why not burgle his house? But you must give me a share of what you get.”
“There will be a moonless night tomorrow. You know, the darkest nights are of special significance for the bandits. If I don’t get any booty, a whole year ahead will be bad for me. Are you sure Gulab has enough in his house?” asked the bandit.
“I’m absolutely sure about it.”
“Good. Wait near the deserted temple for your share.”
The bandit entered Gulab’s house during the next night and waited for his chance. He heard Gulab’s wife telling Gulab, “What about our daughter’s marriage?”
“What can I do? I see dark when I think of it. I have neither money nor even an ounce of gold. How to go about it?” asked Gulab with great anguish.
His wife sighed and wept.
The bandit was greatly moved. Then he felt terribly angry with Viman who had deceived him with a false report about Gulab’s condition.
He sneaked out and straight went to Viman’s house. He was not prepared to fail in his enterprise on that moonless night. He burgled Viman’s house thoroughly and carried a portion of the booty to the deserted temple. Viman received it with great happiness, thinking it to be his well-earned share.
The bandit carried the rest of the jewellery to Gulab’s house and threw the bundle into his room with a note that read: “For your daughter’s marriage.”
In the morning Gulab and his wife were as surprised as they were delighted. But Gulab carried the jewellery to the king and told him how he found it.
“The wealth is yours now, spend it by all means,” said the king who also rewarded him for his honesty. Gulab performed his daughter’s marriage in great style.
