Greedy Farmer

Long ago, in a quiet South Indian village, there lived a humble farmer and his wife. They survived on a small patch of land where they grew vegetables and sold them in the nearby market. Though their life was simple, they were content.

At the edge of the village stood an ancient temple beside a peaceful lake. The villagers believed the lake was protected by a goddess. As an offering, they dedicated the fish in the lake and the mango trees growing nearby to her. Out of respect and fear, no one dared to use the lake or pluck the fruits for personal gain.

One afternoon, while returning from his fields, the farmer passed near the temple. His eyes fell upon a mango tree heavy with ripe, golden fruit. Temptation crept into his heart. He glanced around—no one was in sight. Ignoring the village rules, he plucked a mango and walked toward the lake to rinse it.

As he stepped into the water, he noticed fish darting swiftly around his feet. Greed overtook his caution. Without thinking twice, he caught several fish and hurried home, pleased with his secret harvest.

At home, he handed the fish to his wife and asked her to cook them. Soon, the meal was ready. But the moment his wife tasted the fish, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

Suddenly, a powerful voice echoed through the house. It declared that the farmer’s greed had angered the goddess of the lake. Terrified and filled with regret, the farmer fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness, pleading for his wife’s life.

The voice instructed him to return every utensil used in cooking the fish to the lake. The farmer obeyed immediately. As soon as the last vessel touched the water, his wife opened her eyes and regained her senses.

The farmer learned a painful lesson that day—greed leads to suffering, and righteousness must never be abandoned.

Moral: We should never steal and must always walk the path of honesty and righteousness.