The Magic Bone



In a small village, a poor woman lived with her son. They had only one cow, which gave very little milk. To survive, they often borrowed money from the village moneylender.

One day, the moneylender came to the woman and said, Return all my money by tomorrow evening, or you will regret it. The woman had no money and no way to repay the debt. Seeing his mothers distress, the boy said, Mother, I will take our cow to the market and sell it. With the money, we can repay the moneylender.

On his way to the market, the boy met an old man holding a handful of bones. The old man asked, Where are you going, son The boy told him everything. The old man said, Dont worry, I have a solution for you. Give me your cow, and I will give you a magic bone.

The boy hesitated and said, But my mother needs money to pay off the moneylender.

The old man replied, This bone is magical. When you place it in the fire, it will bring you whatever you wish for.

Trusting the old man, the boy gave him the cow and took the bone home. When he told his mother what had happened, she was furious. You foolish boy! You traded our cow for a useless bone she scolded him.

Despite his mothers anger, the boy believed in the old mans words. He placed the bone in the fire. As soon as the flames touched it, the bone began to speak:

Hiss…hiss… I am leaving!

Where are you going the boy asked.

To the moneylenders kitchen.

The bone disappeared and returned a few minutes later, carrying a basket filled with vegetables, bread, and fruits. The mother and son stored the food, but soon the mother started worrying again. This bone has given us food for a week, but how will we repay the moneylenders debt

Hearing this, the boy placed the bone in the fire again.

Hiss…hiss… I am leaving!

Where are you going the boy asked.

To the moneylenders treasure vault.

A few minutes later, the bone returned with a basket full of money. The mother and son were counting the coins when they heard a loud cry from the chimney—it was the moneylender!

What had happened When the magic bone entered the moneylenders house to take the money, the moneylender saw it. He tried to catch it, but as the bone flew out of the window, the moneylender held onto it and got dragged along. When the bone entered the chimney of the boys house, the moneylender got stuck because he was too fat!

Seeing him trapped, the boy added more firewood to the stove, and smoke filled the chimney. Struggling to breathe, the moneylender shouted, Help me! I will forgive all your debts!

The mother ran to help, but the boy stopped her.

The moneylender then said, I will not only forgive your debt but also give my daughters hand in marriage to your son.

Hearing this, the boy climbed up and pulled the moneylender out. A week later, the moneylender kept his promise. He married his daughter to the boy and gave her all his wealth.

On the wedding day, the magic bone prepared a grand feast for everyone. After that, it disappeared forever.

The mother ran to help, but the boy stopped her.

The moneylender then said, I will not only forgive your debt but also give my daughters hand in marriage to your son.

Hearing this, the boy climbed up and pulled the moneylender out. A week later, the moneylender kept his promise. He married his daughter to the boy and gave her all his wealth.

On the wedding day, the magic bone prepared a grand feast for everyone. After that, it disappeared forever.