Bhai Dayal Das - Boiled Alive

Dadi: "Beta Guddu, can a thief become a saint?"

Guddu: "A thief? I don't think so, Dadi. Thieves are bad people, right?"

Dadi: "*smiles* What if I told you about a famous thief who became one of the greatest Sikh warriors, and then became a thief again - but this time for a noble cause?"

Guddu: "That sounds confusing! Tell me!"

Dadi: "Bhai Bidhi Chand was born into a family of farmers, but as a young man, he fell into bad company and became a bandit. He robbed travelers and lived a lawless life."

Guddu: "How did he become a Sikh?"

Dadi: "One day, a pious Sikh named Bhai Adali led him into the presence of Guru Arjan Dev. Something in the Guru's eyes changed Bidhi Chand forever. He fell at the Guru's feet and begged for forgiveness. From that moment, he dedicated his life to service."

Guddu: "He completely changed?"

Dadi: "Completely! He was so devoted that he was one of five Sikhs chosen to accompany Guru Arjan to his martyrdom. Later, under Guru Hargobind, he became one of the first commanders of the Akal Sena - the Sikh army."

Guddu: "But you said he became a thief again?"

Dadi: "Ah, that's the best part of the story! You see, a Sikh from Kabul was bringing two magnificent horses as gifts for Guru Hargobind. These horses, Dilbagh and Gulbagh, were so beautiful that stories about them spread everywhere."

Guddu: "What happened to the horses?"

Dadi: "The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan heard about them. He ordered his men to intercept the horses and bring them to Lahore Fort. The gifts meant for the Guru were stolen by the Emperor!"

Guddu: "That's not fair!"

Dadi: "Guru Hargobind was saddened. The horses had been offered with love by a devotee. Bhai Bidhi Chand stepped forward. "Guru Ji, I will bring them back." Do you know what skills he would use?"

Guddu: "His old thief skills?"

Dadi: "Exactly! The same abilities he had used for evil, he would now use for good. First, he went to Lahore and disguised himself as a grass-cutter. Every day, he cut the finest grass near the river and sold it at the Fort."

Guddu: "How would that help?"

Dadi: "The stable keepers were impressed by his grass! Soon, they hired him as a groom for the royal horses. He worked hard, gained their trust, and became the Chief Groom - with direct access to Dilbagh and Gulbagh!"

Guddu: "Clever! But how did he escape with a horse?"

Dadi: "*chuckles* Here's where his criminal genius showed. Every midnight, he would throw large stones into the river, making loud splashing sounds. When guards came running, he told them, "It's just some large animal." After many nights, the guards stopped caring about nighttime splashes!"

Guddu: "He was conditioning them!"

Dadi: "Yes! Then one night, he arranged a feast for all the grooms and guards. He served them wine so strong that everyone fell into a deep sleep. Then he saddled Dilbagh, whipped the horse for the first time ever - making it run faster than it ever had - and jumped off the fort walls into the river!"

Guddu: "He escaped with the first horse!"

Dadi: "But there was a problem. When Dilbagh reached the Guru, his companion Gulbagh - still in Lahore - became terribly sad. He stopped eating, and tears fell from his eyes. The Guru told Bidhi Chand: "Either bring Gulbagh too, or take Dilbagh back.""

Guddu: "He had to go back into danger?"

Dadi: "Yes, but this time he used a different disguise - as a famous astrologer and magician called "Tracker Ganak." The Emperor was desperate to find the thief, so when this "mystic" arrived claiming he could locate the stolen horse, he was welcomed!"

Guddu: "Bidhi Chand was pretending to help catch himself!"

Dadi: "*laughs* He told the Governor: "I need complete silence tonight to perform my magic. Lock everyone in their rooms. And saddle Gulbagh for me - I need to use him in my investigation.""

Guddu: "They actually did that?"

Dadi: "They did! When Bidhi Chand was alone with Gulbagh, he requested to try riding the horse. The Governor agreed. Bidhi Chand mounted, closed his eyes as if praying, and then announced: "Sir, I've found the thief! His name is Bidhi Chand. He's a Sikh of Guru Hargobind. In fact... he's right here!""

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "He spurred Gulbagh and leaped over the fort walls! By the time anyone could unlock their doors, Bidhi Chand was long gone."

Guddu: "He fooled them twice!"

Dadi: "When the two horses were reunited, they rubbed their noses together in joy. The Sikhs renamed them - Dilbagh became "Jan Bhai" meaning "dear as life," and Gulbagh became "Suhela" meaning "dear companion.""

Guddu: "What did the Guru say?"

Dadi: "The Guru declared: "Bidhi Chand Chhina is very near to Guru's heart. He is a lovable devotee. He will never suffer from want." And you know what's beautiful, beta?"

Guddu: "What?"

Dadi: "In his final days, Bidhi Chand traveled to meet a Muslim saint named Sundar Shah whom he had befriended years ago. They spent three days discussing the teachings of Guru Nanak together. And when the moment came, both men died at the exact same time - one buried according to Muslim tradition, one cremated according to Sikh tradition, but shrines were built for both!"

Guddu: "A Sikh and a Muslim were such close friends?"

Dadi: "The deepest kind of friends. Their interfaith bond reminds us that true spirituality breaks all barriers."

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

Dadi: "So many things, beta! First, no one is beyond redemption - a thief became a saint. Second, skills aren't good or bad by themselves - it's how we use them that matters. Bidhi Chand's cleverness was once used for robbery, later for righteous purposes. Third, true friendship crosses all boundaries - religious, cultural, everything. And finally, devotion expresses itself in action. Bidhi Chand didn't just pray for the horses' return - he risked his life to bring them back."

Guddu: "His old skills saved the day!"

Dadi: "Indeed! God wastes nothing, beta. Even our past mistakes can become tools for good if we transform ourselves. Now, shall we say thanks for this wonderful story?"