Charudatta and Vasantasena

Dadi: "Guddu, do you think rich people are always happy and poor people always sad?"

Guddu: "I guess? Rich people have everything they want..."

Dadi: "Tonight's story shows that's not always true. It's an ancient play called "The Little Clay Cart" - one of India's greatest dramas."

Guddu: "A play? About a toy cart?"

Dadi: "The cart comes later. First, let me tell you about Charudatta. He was once the richest man in the city of Ujjain. But he was also the most generous. He gave and gave until he had almost nothing left."

Guddu: "That's too generous, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Perhaps. But everyone still respected him because he was good, honest, and kind. Now, in the same city lived Vasantasena - the most beautiful and famous courtesan."

Guddu: "What's a courtesan?"

Dadi: "A woman who entertained wealthy people with music, dance, and conversation. Vasantasena had many rich admirers, but she was lonely inside. None of them truly loved her."

Guddu: "That's sad."

Dadi: "One night, a wicked man named Shakara was chasing her through the streets. He was the king's brother-in-law - powerful and cruel. Vasantasena ran and hid in the first house she found."

Guddu: "Let me guess - Charudatta's house?"

Dadi: "Exactly! And there, she met a man who was poor but noble, kind but dignified. Someone who saw her as a person, not a prize. They fell in love."

Guddu: "But he was poor now!"

Dadi: "Love doesn't need money, beta. Vasantasena would visit secretly. She trusted Charudatta so much that she left her jewelry box with him. But then - a thief broke in and stole it!"

Guddu: "Oh no!"

Dadi: "Charudatta was heartbroken. He couldn't replace the jewels. So he sent his wife's pearl necklace to Vasantasena as replacement - even though he had so little left."

Guddu: "His wife gave up her necklace?"

Dadi: "That's the kind of family they were, beta. But the best part is - Vasantasena never blamed Charudatta. She had already found the thief and gotten her jewels back. She kept both the jewels AND the necklace, touched by his honesty."

Guddu: "What about the clay cart?"

Dadi: "Ah! When Vasantasena visited, she met Charudatta's little son Rohasena. The boy was crying because his friend had a golden toy cart, and he only had a clay one."

Guddu: "I know that feeling..."

Dadi: "Vasantasena took off all her jewelry and filled the little clay cart with it. "Now," she said, "your cart is worth more than any golden one.""

Guddu: "That was so kind!"

Dadi: "But then tragedy struck. One day, Vasantasena got into the wrong carriage. It belonged to the evil Shakara!"

Guddu: "The wicked man!"

Dadi: "He was furious that she loved someone else. He strangled her and left her for dead. Then he blamed Charudatta for the murder!"

Guddu: "But Charudatta was innocent!"

Dadi: "The corrupt king believed Shakara. Charudatta was sentenced to death. Just as he was about to be executed..."

Guddu: "Vasantasena appeared! She wasn't dead!"

Dadi: "A kind monk had found her and saved her life. She arrived just in time. The real murderer was exposed. A revolution overthrew the cruel king. The new king rewarded everyone who had suffered."

Guddu: "And Charudatta and Vasantasena?"

Dadi: "They were married. His honor was restored. His wealth returned. And the little clay cart that his son cried over became a symbol of how love fills what seems empty, and makes the worthless priceless."

Guddu: "I like happy endings, Dadi."

Dadi: "So do I, beta. But notice - the happy ending came because people were good, honest, and kind, even when it was hard. Even when they were poor. Even when they were accused of terrible things. Goodness won in the end."