The Beggar’s Curse

The Beggar’s Curse

Uncle Chaman was known in his neighborhood as the most miserly man around. Whenever a guest visited his house, after the usual formal greetings, he would start complaining about every little thing: “You won’t want tea, right? That’s harmful. Well, the sherbet is slightly warm; will that do? The cake and biscuit shop is closed right now; what can I do? The samosa seller is just heating the oil; it will take some time. How long do you plan to sit here?” And so on.

Hearing this, the poor guest would usually feel embarrassed.

One afternoon, a beggar knocked on Uncle Chaman’s door. Without even opening it, he asked, “Who is it?”

The beggar replied, “Son, please be kind and give me ten rupees. I have curry at home, and I will take some bread and eat.”

“Go away! Leave! I don’t have any money. I don’t know why useless people like you keep coming around, asking for things. Food doesn’t satisfy the heart anyway,” Uncle Chaman snapped, berating the poor man harshly.

The beggar, disappointed and helpless, muttered a curse as he left: “May God keep you away from food always, and may you never be able to eat even when it’s in front of you.”

A few days later, Uncle Chaman began experiencing severe stomach pain. The pain was so intense that he writhed in agony. His family rushed him to the hospital. Various tests were conducted, and ultimately, he was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. The doctor advised that he stay in the hospital for ten to fifteen days for proper treatment.

When he returned home, he was extremely weak and frail. Nothing he ate could be digested. Even yogurt would make him vomit. Despite taking his medicines regularly, his condition did not improve. His complexion had turned pale, and even a small amount of food would make him sick. Nights passed sleeplessly for Uncle Chaman, and he began to fear death.

One night, exhausted and deep in thought, he finally fell asleep. In his dream, he saw himself sitting near a large pot of pilaf (rice dish) and distributing rice to everyone. The next morning, he shared his dream with his family. They advised him to feed the poor, believing that charity might help him recover.

Uncle Chaman called the cook and asked, “Son, how much will it cost for a ten-kilogram pot of pilaf?” The cook gave him the estimate, and although Uncle Chaman was initially worried about the expense, he resolved that perhaps giving charity would help him regain his health.

On a Sunday afternoon, with the help of neighborhood youth, Uncle Chaman distributed the pilaf among the poor and needy in the locality. After this act of kindness, he began to feel calmer and somewhat healthier. Yet, whenever he thought of the beggar who had cursed him, the same unbearable stomach pain returned. Days went by in this uneasy state.

One evening, they heard a voice: “For God’s sake, give me something, Baba!” Uncle Chaman ran outside and saw the beggar—the same one who had cursed him. He pulled him inside and immediately sent his eldest son to bring various dishes from the hotel. Soon, the son returned with Shami kebabs, biryani, korma, bread, and ice cream.

Uncle Chaman and the beggar ate their fill. The beggar left extremely happy. Within a week of continued care and charity, Uncle Chaman was completely restored to health.

Moral: Generosity and compassion can heal even the deepest wounds. Misery caused by selfishness or harshness can be overturned through sincere kindness.

Thanks for reading

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