The Weavers Dream

Dadi: "Guddu, today's story is about a weaver who got a magical wish, but made a very silly choice."

Guddu: "A wish? Like a genie, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Not a genie, but a forest spirit! There was a weaver named Mantharaka - which means "the simpleton." One day, his loom broke, so he went to find wood to fix it."

Guddu: "Did he find wood?"

Dadi: "He found a huge, beautiful tree by the sea. Just as he raised his axe to cut it, a voice called out: "Stop! This is my home!""

Guddu: "A talking tree?"

Dadi: "No, beta - a spirit lived in that tree. He loved the cool sea breeze that blew through it. But the weaver explained he needed wood, or his family would starve."

Guddu: "What did the spirit do?"

Dadi: "The spirit was impressed by his honesty. "Spare my tree," he said, "and I'll grant you any wish!""

Guddu: "Wow! What did he wish for?"

Dadi: "Ah, that's where it gets interesting. The weaver went home to think. First he asked his friend, the barber, for advice."

Guddu: "What did the barber say?"

Dadi: ""Wish to become a king! I'll be your prime minister, and we'll enjoy life!" But the weaver wanted to ask his wife too, even though the barber warned him not to listen to women."

Guddu: "That's not nice. What did his wife say?"

Dadi: "His wife was very practical. She said, "A king's life is full of problems - wars, enemies, traitors. Why not wish for an extra head and two more arms? Then you can weave two cloths at once - double the money!""

Guddu: "That's a clever idea!"

Dadi: "The weaver thought so too! He went to the spirit and said, "Give me another head and two more hands!""

Guddu: "Did it work?"

Dadi: "It worked instantly! Suddenly he had two heads and four arms. But as he walked home happily, the villagers saw him..."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "They thought he was a monster! They threw sticks and stones at him and... he died."

Guddu: "Oh no! That's terrible!"

Dadi: "It is, beta. The moral is important - he didn't think about the consequences. He didn't ask: "What will people think when they see me? Will they be scared?""

Guddu: "So even a good wish can be bad if you don't think it through?"

Dadi: "Exactly! And also - he listened to everyone's advice but didn't use his own common sense. The barber wanted power, the wife wanted money, but nobody thought about what could go wrong."

Guddu: "Like when I wanted a puppy but didn't think about who would walk it during school?"

Dadi: "Perfect example! Before making any big decision, always ask yourself: what are ALL the results, not just the good ones?"

Guddu: "I'll remember, Dadi. Think before wishing!"

Dadi: "That's my smart boy. Now, two heads might help with homework, but one good head that thinks properly is better than two that don't!"