Rain of Gold Coins

This story is about a miser named Fakirdas. He had several acres of land. Fakirdas had employed several labourers for farming. He also used to lend money. Fakirdas used to charge a hefty interest by lending money to people. His miserliness also helped him a lot in accumulating wealth. In this way, he became the richest person in the village.

For Fakirdas, the clinking of coins was the sweetest sound in the world. At night, he used to sit on his bed with a black box in which he used to keep his days earnings. He could not sleep without counting all the money before going to sleep.

A labourer used to work for Fakirdas. His name was Sukhiya. His family used to feed themselves on the daily wages received from Fakirdas. Greedy Fakirdas was never happy to take money out of his pocket. He used to make excuses for not spending money.

Once Fakirdas did not pay Sukhiya for several days. His wife and five children were on the verge of dying of hunger. Sukhiya rushed to the Fakir and started pleading with folded hands, Master, please pay me my wages, otherwise my children will die.

Come tomorrow...tomorrow. I cannot give you anything right now. The accounts are pending. I will take out your full wages, only then will I be able to pay you. I will not give you less, Fakirdas said and waved his hand and showed him the way out.

Master, I fold my hands, please give me just one days wages so that my children can feed themselves right now, Sukhiya pleaded.

Hey...I told you...come tomorrow. Is this the only work left for me Stop this whining. Go away from here, saying this the Fakir went away from there.

After this, he went straight to his old servant and said, I have come to know that some wild pigs are ruining my crops. I have to go to the forest tonight to keep an eye on the fields.

Master, take someone along. It is not right to go alone at night.

You are a fool If I take someone along, will I not have to pay him Dont worry, I will make a platform on a tall tree and sit there.

It was midnight. Fakir Das was sitting on the platform made on the banyan tree. It was pitch dark and voices of various creatures were coming. The fakir saw that suddenly a faint light started spreading from one side under the banyan tree. God knows from where a divine aura started forming in that light. The fakir was not able to believe his eyes. This was Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, who was sitting on a stage. In no time, three men also appeared in front of him.

After a month, today on the night of the full moon, we have gathered here again. Now you inform me about the developments in your respective areas. Angel, first you tell me, what is the news from heaven Brahmaji said.

Everything is fine, Brahmadev. Everyone is happy, said one of the men.

Good news. Very good. Narakadut, now you tell me, how is everything going on in Narakaloka Brahmaji asked the other man sitting there.

Nothing special, Brahmadev. The people of hell are waiting to get free from there as soon as possible by atoning for their sins.

After this, Brahmadev looked towards the third man and said, You tell me, Earthdut. What is happening on Earth

O Lord, people are living a blissful life in most parts of the world. But, there is a serious problem in a nearby village. That village is tormented by the misbehavior and misdeeds of a cruel man named Fakirdas. Now take the example of Sukhiya, a laborer working for him. It has been a week, the greedy Fakir has not paid Sukhiya his wages yet. His family is suffering from hunger.

Prithvidut, this is very sad. You take this bag, it is full of gold coins. Tomorrow night, shower these coins from the roof of Sukhiyas hut. These coins will fulfill every need of those poor laborers, with these words Brahmadev handed over a bag to Prithvidut.

In a few moments everyone disappeared and the same darkness prevailed. Fakirdas ran towards home. Early in the morning he sent for Sukhiya.

Sukhia, forgive me. Yesterday I did not listen to you, take this, my wages for seven days. Well... I wanted to make a request to you.

Not a request, you order me, master, Sukhia said. He was surprised by this sudden change in Fakir Dass behavior.

Years have passed living in this luxurious house. Now I am fed up with this luxury. I have decided that now I will live a simple life. I will make worship a part of my lifestyle. Do one thing, you live in my house and I will make your hut my home.

But...master, how will you be able to live in a poor mans hut Dont worry about me brother. I will chant the Lords name and live.

Standing silently, Sukhia could not say anything to his master.

In a short while, Fakir Das reached Sukhias house and Sukhia took his family to Fakir Dass luxurious house.

Fakir Das waited impatiently for the night. Without waiting for Prithvi Doot, Fakir Das climbed on the roof of the hut and made a big hole in the roof. Now Prithvi Doot will not have any problem in dropping the coins, he thought.

Time passed. It was morning but there was no news of Brahmajis messenger or the gold coins. Prithvi Doot must be busy. The responsibility of all the people of the earth is on him only. It is possible that he would not be able to find time for Sukhiya. Fakir thought.

Fakirdas started waiting for Prithvi Doot every night. He was hoping that one day there would definitely be a rain of gold coins in the hut and he would become the richest. In doing so, the next full moon came.

Fakirdas again went to the scaffolding to listen to the conversation of the gods.

Fakir Das went back to sit on the platform to listen to the conversation of the gods. Why did Prithvi Doot not follow Brahma Jis instructions

After midnight, Brahma Ji appeared with the three messengers. After getting information about heaven and hell, Brahma Ji asked Prithvi Doot, Prithvi Doot, did you deliver the gold coins to Sukhiyas house

Forgive me Brahmadev, I went to Sukhiyas hut many times to follow your orders. But whenever I looked down, I saw that not Sukhiya but Fakir Das was sitting there, and he was staring upwards. I was invisible, thats why he couldnt see me.

Fakir Das is in Sukhiyas hut, so where is Sukhiya Brahma Ji asked.

I was in a dilemma Brahmadev. After this I searched for Sukhiya. You will be surprised Brahmadev, Sukhiya is living in Fakir Dass house. Ok… so this is it. Fakir Das has come to know about our plan, that is why he sent Sukhiya to his house in greed of gold coins and himself is camping in a poor hut. Fakir Das thinks himself very smart, but your wisdom has to be appreciated, Prithvi Doot. Tell me, how is Sukhiya

O Brahmadev, Sukhiya is living a comfortable life. Instead of living alone in the entire house of Fakir Das, he is living with his family in just one room. Sukhiya has given shelter to some homeless families in the remaining rooms. There is a huge garden in this grand palace of Fakir which was lying vacant till now. Sukhiya had planted vegetables in it. By selling them, he supports his family.

Amazing Sukhiya has proved how great a person he is. He knows how to share and eat. On the other hand, there is that greedy and cruel Fakir Das who can go to any extent for his selfishness. I feel ashamed of creating people like him, said Brahmadev.

On hearing this, Fakir Das, who was sitting on the scaffold, was filled with remorse and regret. He immediately got down from the scaffold and fell at the feet of Brahmaji and said, O Brahmadev, I am that vile man, Fakir. Forgive me Brahmadev, forgive me. I have committed many sins. Sukhiyas charity has opened my eyes. How can I atone for my sins

Realizing ones guilt is the first step towards atonement. The decision is yours, saying this, Brahmaji disappeared with the three messengers. Fakir Das returned to the hut and got lost in deep thoughts.

The next day he distributed all his wealth among the poor and left the village forever for Purushottam Kshetra (old name of Puri). Fakirdas spent the rest of his life at the feet of Lord Jagannath.