Kalketu the Hunter Becomes King

Dadi: "Guddu, what would you do if a beautiful stranger offered to make you rich if you let her live with you?"

Guddu: "Um... that sounds suspicious!"

Dadi: "Exactly what Kalketu and his wife Phullara thought! And their answer changed their lives forever."

Guddu: "Who were they?"

Dadi: "Kalketu was a poor hunter from a low caste. He and his wife Phullara had almost nothing, but they were good people who loved each other deeply."

Guddu: "What happened to them?"

Dadi: "Goddess Chandi wanted to bless them, but first she tested them. She transformed herself into a golden lizard, which Kalketu caught while hunting."

Guddu: "A goddess became a lizard?!"

Dadi: "He took it home planning to eat it - they were that poor, beta. But then the lizard transformed into a beautiful young woman!"

Guddu: "*(surprised)* In his house?!"

Dadi: "She told them she was a rich woman who had left her old husband. "Let me stay with you," she said to Kalketu. "I find you attractive. If you let me stay, I'll make you wealthy beyond imagination.""

Guddu: "That's a test!"

Dadi: "Poor Phullara was heartbroken at the thought of losing her husband's love to this beautiful rich woman. But instead of being jealous or angry, she said something amazing."

Guddu: "What did she say?"

Dadi: ""Please go back to your husband. A woman shouldn't leave her family. We're poor, but we have each other, and that's enough.""

Guddu: "She chose love over wealth!"

Dadi: "And Kalketu did the same. He told the woman, "My wife is right. You should return to your husband. I won't betray Phullara for any amount of money.""

Guddu: "They both passed the test?"

Dadi: "The Goddess was delighted! She revealed her true form and said, "Your virtue has impressed me. Here is a ring of great value. Use it well.""

Guddu: "What did they do with it?"

Dadi: "When they sold the ring, they got enormous wealth. Kalketu used it to build an entire city called Gujarat! He cleared forests, built houses, invited people to settle. From a poor hunter, he became a king!"

Guddu: "All from staying faithful to his wife?"

Dadi: "But the story isn't over. A man named Bhandu became Kalketu's advisor. At first, everything was fine. But Bhandu was actually corrupt - he was secretly oppressing the people."

Guddu: "What did Kalketu do?"

Dadi: "When he discovered Bhandu's true nature, he threw him out of the court immediately. "I didn't build this kingdom to let someone else ruin it!""

Guddu: "Good for him!"

Dadi: "But Bhandu wanted revenge. He went to the neighboring kingdom of Kalinga and convinced that king to attack Kalketu. In the battle, Kalketu was captured!"

Guddu: "Oh no!"

Dadi: "Imprisoned and tortured, Kalketu did what any devotee would do - he prayed to Goddess Chandi. She appeared in the Kalinga king's dream and commanded: "Release Kalketu immediately, or face my wrath!""

Guddu: "She saved him again!"

Dadi: "The king freed Kalketu out of fear. Kalketu returned to his kingdom, ruled wisely for many years, and eventually went to heaven with his beloved Phullara."

Guddu: "What's the lesson here, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Many lessons! First: virtue is tested before it's rewarded. The Goddess needed to know if Kalketu and Phullara were truly good before blessing them."

Guddu: "They proved themselves!"

Dadi: "Second: good people can still face problems. Kalketu was betrayed, captured, tortured - but he didn't lose faith. Third: your past doesn't determine your future. A low-caste hunter became a king through his character, not his birth."

Guddu: "Character matters more than background?"

Dadi: "Always, beta. The Goddess didn't check Kalketu's caste before blessing him. She checked his heart. And found it pure."

Guddu: "I'll remember that. Be good, and good things follow - eventually."

Dadi: "Even when there are setbacks along the way. Faith and virtue will see you through."