In the village of Lalitpur, lived Raghu Singh. His wife had died soon after giving birth to their only child, a
daughter. Raghu brought up the girl, named Supriya, with great care.
Supriya was a very sweet girl, but at the same time, she was intelligent and courageous. From an elderly woman in the neighbourhood, she learned the art of cooking. She practised it so well that her father told her from time to time, laughing, “My child, you must teach me how to cook. Otherwise, what am I to do once you are gone to your husband’s house?”
Indeed, Raghu knew that it was time he found a good match for Supriya. All he wanted was, for the young man to marry his daughter should be kindhearted. He told some of his well-wishers about his need.
One day, as arranged by a well-wisher, a gentleman came to see Supriya. He was a wealthy merchant with a big house in the bazaar. His son was educated and was looking after his business diligently.
The gentleman had heard much praise of Supriya. When he saw her and talked to her, he was convinced that what he had heard was entirely true. He told Raghu, “I am very happy about the proposal. However, I will send my word, after consulting my wife and son, in a day or two.” He then took leave of Raghu.
An hour later came in a dear friend of Raghu, Suryakant. He said, “Raghu, I have located an excellent match for our Supriya. He is Prabhakar of Kumudwadi. He visited me today for some work. He is still in my house.
Should I bring him here?”
“Surya, a gentleman from the bazaar had just had a meeting with us. He seems to have made up his mind to have Supriya for his daughter-in-law, though he has not conveyed his final decision to us.”
“In that case what is the harm in having a look at Prabhakar?” asked Suryakant.
“No harm, since you, my dear friend, think that he is an eligible match for Supriya!” said Raghu.
Suryakant brought Prabhakar soon. They sat talking, Supriya hiding behind her father, for more than an hour.
Raghu understood that Prabhakar had lost his parents in his childhood. The grandmother who reared him too had died. He lived alone in a small house left by his parents on the outskirts of his village. He had lands and cattle enough to fetch him a comfortable living.
After Prabhakar left, Raghu talked to his daughter and felt sure that like himself Supriya too had taken a liking for the young man. He said, “My daughter, let me proceed to the bazaar. It is urgent that I know the other party’s decision soon.”
Raghu set out for the bazaar Supriya was brooding over the situation when someone knocked on the door. She opened it. It was a stranger. “Father is away and may not be back before nightfall. Can I do anything for you?” asked Supriya.
The stranger hesitated for a moment and then said, “Well, I am a well-wisher of your father. I hear that he is negotiating your marriage with Prabhakar of Kumudwadi. For your information, Prabhakar spent two years in jail, accused of theft!”
The stranger went away hurriedly. Supriya felt very upset. She could not rest in peace. She had developed a fine impression of Prabhakar. Could that impression be utterly false?
After some restless moments, she took a prompt decision. She must confront Prabhakar and find out the truth.
Kumudwadi was an hour’s walk away. It did not take much time for Supriya to locate Prabhakar’s house.
Prabhakar received her with a pleasant surprise. But she asked him bluntly, “Is it true that you were imprisoned because you committed theft?”
“I was imprisoned accused of theft, not because I had committed theft. Please come in and sit down. I will tell you the whole story,” politely said Prabhakar.
Supriya sat down. Prabhakar narrated his story: Once he was on his way to the town in a hired carriage. Midway an old woman stopped the carriage and on learning that he was going to the town, said tearfully, “My son, my husband was to travel to the town today with this box of sweetmeats for my grandson. But the old man took ill. My grandson must be waiting near the Shiva temple at the entrance to the town. Will you kindly hand over this box to him?”
Prabhakar was only too ready to oblige her. He took charge of the box. The old woman had told him that her grandson was twelve years of age and most probably he will be wearing a yellow shirt.
When Prabhakar stopped at the Shiva temple and got down from the carriage, he saw a boy with a yellow shirt running away. He could not understand why. The next moment two policemen caught hold of him and asked him what he had in the box. “Nothing but sweets,” said Prabhakar. The policemen opened it. There were sweets in the box, but under them was found a gold necklace.”
“We had got the intelligence that this property stolen from a wealthy pilgrim may reach the town today. Our good luck, we got not only the necklace but also the burglar,” the policemen said with satisfaction.
“I’m no burglar!” cried out Prabhakar.
“Only their accomplice!” laughed the policemen. They led him to the Kotwal. After a brief trial, he was thrown into jail.
All prisoners had to work. Prabhakar was made to work on the king’s farm. Luckily, one of the fellow prisoners who worked with him was an expert farmer. He taught him all about farming. Prabhakar forgot that he was in jail and felt as if he was in a training camp for farming!
Upon his release, he put his knowledge to use in his own fields.
Supriya heard him with rapt attention. She smiled and said, “Why did you hide this part of your life when you met us in the morning?”
“I tried, but could not come to it during our very first meeting. At the same time, I did not wish to hide it. That is why I sent my friend to warn you about it!” said Prabhakar.
“Oh, was the stranger sent by you?” Supriya asked with surprise.
“He was,” said Prabhakar. “He also informed your father about it on the way.”
His friend was his neighbour. Prabhakar called him and both of them escorted Supriya to her house and left her there.
Raghu was back from the bazaar a bit late at night. “I have practically finalized the proposal, though I have said that I will send my word tomorrow!” he said with a forced smile. “Why did you take time till tomorrow?” asked Supriya who was intelligent enough to understand that her father was a bit pensive.
“Well, it is nothing much. They want a dowry. I think I can talk to the village landlord and sell this house. What use do I have with the house once you are married off? My friend, the priest, says that he will be happy to give me one of those rooms meant for the temple services!” said Raghu.
Supriya was gazing at her father. Tears came to her eyes. She said, “Father, send word to the merchant to the effect that you will be the last person to give a dowry. Please finalize the proposal with Prabhakar.”
“Prabhakar? I liked him immensely. But …” Raghu stopped.
“But he served a term in jail!” Supriya said smiling through her tears. Then she narrated to her father all that had happened during his absence.
Raghu’s happiness burst into tears. “I realize,” he said, “Prabhakar is no thief; it is the merchant who has a million and who still wants a dowry, who is the thief—rather a bandit.”
“Right, Father!” said Supriya. Father and daughter laughed together.
