Champion of the Lowly

Dadi: "Beta, if you had to choose between a fancy meal at a rich person's house and a simple meal with a poor but honest friend, which would you pick?"

Guddu: "Hmm... I'd probably like the fancy food, but I'd feel more comfortable with my friend."

Dadi: "What if your choice could teach an entire community about what really matters in life? Let me tell you how Guru Nanak made exactly that choice - and proved his point with a miracle!"

Guddu: "A miracle? Tell me, Dadi!"

Dadi: "In the town of Eminabad, there was a powerful government official named Malik Bhago. He had become very wealthy, but beta, his wealth had not come honestly."

Guddu: "How did he get rich?"

Dadi: "Through corruption and exploitation of the poor. He squeezed taxes from struggling farmers, took bribes, and cared nothing for the suffering he caused. But outwardly, he wanted to appear religious and generous."

Guddu: "So he pretended to be good?"

Dadi: "Exactly. One day, Malik Bhago organized a grand feast for all the holy men and religious figures in the region. It was a lavish banquet - the finest foods, served on expensive dishes, with all the important people of the town invited."

Guddu: "Did Guru Nanak go?"

Dadi: "He was invited, but he declined! Instead, the Guru chose to stay with Bhai Lalo, a humble carpenter in the town."

Guddu: "Who was Bhai Lalo?"

Dadi: "Bhai Lalo was a simple man who made wooden pegs to earn his living. He was from a low caste, which meant society looked down on him. But he was known throughout the community for his honesty, patience, and hard work. Though poor, he always helped others in need."

Guddu: "He sounds like a good person!"

Dadi: "The best kind, beta. Guru Nanak stayed in Bhai Lalo's humble home, eating his simple chapatis made from honestly-earned flour."

Guddu: "What happened when Malik Bhago found out?"

Dadi: "He was furious! A great holy man was eating dry chapatis at a carpenter's house instead of enjoying his grand feast? He felt insulted and demanded that Guru Nanak come to him immediately."

Guddu: "Did the Guru go?"

Dadi: "He did - and he brought Bhai Lalo with him. Malik Bhago confronted them angrily: "You dishonor us by eating dry chapatis with a low caste carpenter! My feast offers delicious food fit for kings!""

Guddu: "What did Guru Nanak say?"

Dadi: "Instead of arguing, beta, the Guru asked for a demonstration. He requested a piece of Malik Bhago's finest buttered bread and a piece of Bhai Lalo's simple chapati."

Guddu: "What was he going to do?"

Dadi: "Here comes the miracle! Guru Nanak took Malik Bhago's rich, buttered bread in his left hand and Bhai Lalo's plain bread in his right hand. Then he squeezed both of them."

Guddu: "And?"

Dadi: "From the rich man's bread - drops of BLOOD began trickling down! From the poor carpenter's bread - drops of pure white MILK fell!"

Guddu: "Blood and milk? How is that possible?"

Dadi: "It was a divine revelation of truth, beta. The entire gathering gasped in shock. Even Malik Bhago turned pale."

Guddu: "What did Guru Nanak explain?"

Dadi: "He said: "The wealth you have gathered by cruelty towards the poor is like draining their blood. Your fancy food was earned by sucking the blood of struggling people. But this carpenter's humble bread is pure like milk, earned by the honest sweat of his labor.""

Guddu: "That's so powerful!"

Dadi: "The message spread throughout the countryside. People said: "A Guru has arrived who challenges caste and authority with courage we have never seen before!""

Guddu: "What happened to Malik Bhago?"

Dadi: "The story says he was struck silent - not punished by the Guru, but forced to face the truth about himself. Whether he changed his ways, we don't know. But the lesson was etched in the hearts of everyone who witnessed it."

Guddu: "And what about Bhai Lalo?"

Dadi: "His house later became a sacred place - Gurdwara Khuhi Bhai Lalo (the well of Lalo) - commemorating this powerful teaching. It still stands today in Pakistan, reminding people that honest poverty is holier than corrupt wealth."

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "So many important things, beta! First, that what matters is not how much you have, but how you earned it. Malik Bhago's feast was elaborate but tainted. Bhai Lalo's chapati was simple but pure."

Guddu: "And Guru Nanak didn't care about caste?"

Dadi: "Not at all! This was revolutionary in his time. Society said low caste people were inferior, that holy men shouldn't eat with them. Guru Nanak said: "Look at the character, not the caste. Look at the actions, not the birth.""

Guddu: "He championed the poor and humble!"

Dadi: "That's exactly right. He stood with the honest carpenter against the corrupt official. He showed that in the eyes of God, the pure-hearted poor man is higher than the wealthy oppressor."

Guddu: "Is that why he's called "Champion of the Lowly"?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. Throughout his life, Guru Nanak stood up for the marginalized, the exploited, the forgotten. He ate with outcasts, he challenged corrupt rulers, he declared that all human beings are equal before God."

Guddu: "I want to be like Bhai Lalo - honest in everything I do!"

Dadi: "That's the spirit, beta. And remember, it doesn't matter if your chapati is plain or fancy. What matters is that when the Guru squeezes it, only pure milk flows - the milk of honest work, kind actions, and a clean heart."

Guddu: "I'll remember that always, Dadi!"

Dadi: "And one day, when you have to choose between the fancy feast and the honest friend, I hope you'll remember what Guru Nanak taught us that day in Eminabad."