The Well of Goats

Once upon a time, a wanderer named Behora set out on a pilgrimage. He had nothing to eat or wear. Wherever night fell, he stayed; wherever he felt hungry, he begged for food.

One day, while traveling, Behora became extremely tired. He could not see any settlement nearby. Weary with hunger and thirst, he sat under the shade of a tree. As he rested, he noticed an old well nearby.

He quickly grabbed a rope and a pot and hurried to the well. Just as he lowered the rope, he heard the bleating of a goat from inside the well. Surprised, he peered in and saw a goat standing kneedeep in water, looking up and bleating for help.

Without hesitation, Behora climbed down, tied the goat with the rope, and started pulling it up.

At that moment, a merchant arrived with a caravan of horses loaded with goods. The merchant asked, Is there any water to drink

Behora replied, Water Well, there might be some, but this is the Well of Goats. You wont find much water here.

The Well of Goats the merchant asked in confusion.

Yes! Whats so surprising about that Cant you see what Im doing Behora replied. He pulled harder, and soon, the goat was out of the well.

The merchant, eyes wide in amazement, asked, Are you pulling a goat out of the well

Behora smirked and said, Of course! Havent you heard what I just said This is the Well of Goats. Whenever I wish, I pull out as many goats as I want.

The merchants eyes sparkled with excitement. Are there many goats inside he asked.

Behora shrugged, Not really, but I can make them appear whenever I want.

How the merchant inquired eagerly.

Behora explained, Its a simple trick. At night, throw a pair of goat horns into the well, and by morning, you can pull out a fullgrown goat with a rope. The more horns you throw, the more goats youll get.

The merchant was thrilled. He thought, This is far more profitable than selling goods on horses!

Will you sell me this well the merchant asked.

Behora smirked. If I get a good price, why not

The merchant had seven horses loaded with goods. Ill give you one horse and some goods for the well, he offered.

Behora laughed. One horse for such a priceless well If this well were in the city, it would be worth millions!

The merchant increased his offer—two horses, then three, then four. But Behora kept refusing. Desperate, the merchant finally said, Take all my horses and goods, but give me the well.

Behora pretended to hesitate and then said, Well, since you insist, I dont want to disappoint you.

He took the horses and goods and left, while the merchant stood proudly by his new well.

That night, the merchant bought two goat horns from a nearby village and secretly dropped them into the well. Unable to sleep with excitement, he waited eagerly for morning. At sunrise, he peered into the well, but there was nothing inside—only the two horns he had thrown.

Confused, he tried again the next night, but still, nothing happened. Furious, he realized he had been tricked.

Determined to find Behora, he ran towards the direction Behora had gone. On the way, he reached a village and asked, Do you know someone named Maik Hangao

The villagers were puzzled. One of them asked, Are you saying Main Kahan Gao

Yes! Maik Hangao! the merchant insisted.

The villagers laughed. Then sing here! We play music too.

The merchant was furious. Youre making fun of me! Ive been robbed, and youre joking He stormed off.

The merchant searched for Behora from village to village like a madman. Finally, some soldiers captured him, thinking he was insane, and brought him before the king.

The king asked, Who is this Maik Hangao youre searching for

The merchant angrily replied, Hes the man who tricked me and sold me a useless well!

The king ordered a search for Behora. Eventually, soldiers found him with his seven horses and goods.

The king asked, What is your name

Your Majesty, people call me Behora, he replied humbly.

Then who is Maik Hangao

Behora grinned and said, Your Majesty, that simply means Main Kahan Gao (Where should I sing)

The entire court burst into laughter.

The king returned all the merchants horses and goods and let Behora go.

When the merchant stepped out of the palace, some children surrounded him, chanting, Maik Hangao! Maik Hangao!

The merchant, now truly mad, started dancing and singing with joy.