Long ago, in a quiet village, there lived a young man and his aging mother. Despite belonging to the esteemed Brahmin caste, they lived in poverty, surviving in a small hut with a modest plot of land where they grew vegetables.
The old woman longed to see her son marry, hoping to have a daughter-in-law who could help with household chores. However, the young Brahmin was too poor to afford even a simple wedding. Saddened by his situation, he decided to take action.
"I’ll go to the city," the young man said to his mother one day. "I’ll earn enough money to marry and bring happiness to our lives." Though his mother begged him to stay, fearing life without her son, he was determined.
A Ghost’s Plan
Unbeknownst to them, a ghost living in an old tree near their hut overheard their conversation. "This is my chance," the ghost thought. "When the Brahmin leaves, I’ll take his form, live in the hut, and enjoy warm meals every day. I’m tired of this cold tree and the life of a ghost."
A few nights after the young man left for the city, the ghost transformed into the young Brahmin and knocked on the door. "Mother, it’s me. I’ve returned," he said in a familiar voice.
Startled but overjoyed, the old woman opened the door. "You said you’d be gone for a long time. What happened?"
Pretending to be her son, the ghost replied, "I couldn’t bear to leave you alone, Mother. I’ve decided to stay and take care of you."
Overwhelmed with happiness, the old woman welcomed the ghost into her home. From that day on, the ghost lived comfortably as her son, relishing the warmth of the hut and the meals she lovingly prepared.
The Real Son Returns
A year later, the real young Brahmin returned, excited to see his mother. To his shock, another man who looked exactly like him opened the door and glared at him.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" the young Brahmin demanded.
The ghost retorted, "What nonsense! I am her son. Who are you to claim this house as yours?"
When the young Brahmin called out to his mother, she angrily dismissed him. "What do you mean? My son is already here. Leave us alone!"
Heartbroken and confused, the young Brahmin pleaded, but his efforts were in vain. The ghost and his mother slammed the door, leaving him outside.
Seeking Justice
Desperate, the young Brahmin turned to the King for help. The King summoned both men to the palace and questioned them. However, as they looked identical and gave convincing answers, the King was unable to determine who was the real son.
One day, while walking back from the palace in despair, the young Brahmin met a boy playing near a field. "Why do you look so sad?" the boy asked.
The Brahmin explained his plight. The boy listened attentively and said, "Come, I’ll take you to our King. He will solve your problem."
Puzzled, the Brahmin replied, "I’ve already spoken to the King, and even he couldn’t help me."
"No, not that King," the boy insisted. "Come with me."
The boy led him to a group of children playing in a circle. At the center of the circle sat a boy with a bright, confident face, perched on a small mound. "Your Majesty, this man seeks justice," the boy said.
The little “King” listened carefully to the Brahmin’s story. "I will solve your problem tomorrow," he declared, "but the real King, his ministers, and the villagers must witness it."
A Clever Judgment
The next day, the King, his court, and the villagers gathered at the field. The ghost and the young Brahmin were also present. The little “King” announced, "Whoever can enter this bottle is the true son of the old woman."
The Brahmin was stunned. "This is absurd!" he thought. But before he could object, the ghost, confident in his abilities, turned himself into a small insect and flew into the bottle.
Quickly, the little “King” sealed the bottle and declared, "This is the impostor—a ghost who deceived the old woman. The true son is standing here before you."
The King and the crowd applauded the boy’s wisdom. The young Brahmin was reunited with his mother, and the ghost, trapped in the bottle, was thrown into the sea.
The Mystery of the Magical Mound
The King, curious about the boy’s wisdom, asked, "How did you come to possess such knowledge at your age?"
The boy explained, "This mound is magical. Whoever sits on it gains the wisdom to solve any problem. We children take turns sitting on it, and today was my turn."
Intrigued, the King ordered the mound to be excavated. Beneath it, they discovered a magnificent throne adorned with pearls and held up by thirty-two sculptures of goddesses.
As the King approached the throne, a voice warned, "Only the wise and courageous, like Raja Vikrama, may sit here. Let us tell you his tales of valor and wisdom."
The thirty-two goddesses narrated their stories, known today as the Simhasana Battisi—the thirty-two tales of the throne. After the final tale, the throne rose into the air and disappeared, leaving behind its legacy of wisdom.
Moral of the story
Truth and justice always prevail, even in the face of deceit. Wisdom and courage can come from the most unexpected places, teaching us that one’s value lies not in power or position, but in their ability to solve problems with fairness and integrity.
Source:The Asian Cultural Center for Unesco, Dongeng-Dongeng Asia Untuk Anak-Anak jilid lima. Jakarta, PT. Dunia Pustaka Jaya, 1976.
Retold in English by Mister Guru.
