Guru Nanak Sacha Sauda - True Bargain

Dadi: "Guddu, if your father gave you money to buy something for the house, what would you do?"

Guddu: "I'd buy what he asked for!"

Dadi: "What if, on your way, you saw people who were starving and sick?"

Guddu: "*thinks* I... I don't know, Dadi."

Dadi: "Let me tell you what young Guru Nanak did. This story is called "Sacha Sauda" - the true bargain."

Guddu: "What happened?"

Dadi: "When Nanak was eighteen years old, his father was frustrated. Nanak wasn't interested in farming or ordinary work. He was always thinking about spiritual matters."

Guddu: "Like a dreamer?"

Dadi: "Some called him that. His father thought, "Maybe business will work better." So he gave Nanak twenty rupees - a lot of money in those days - and said, "Go buy some goods that we can sell for profit. Make a good bargain!""

Guddu: "Did Nanak go?"

Dadi: "He set out with his friend Mardana toward the city. They had walked about twelve miles when they came to a village struck by disaster."

Guddu: "What kind of disaster?"

Dadi: "Disease had spread. There was no clean water. The villagers were hungry, thirsty, and sick. Many were dying."

Guddu: "That's terrible!"

Dadi: "Nanak looked at the suffering people. Then he looked at the twenty rupees in his hand. And he said to Mardana, "My father asked me to make a profitable bargain. Can there be any bargain more profitable than feeding the hungry?""

Guddu: "He spent the money on the villagers?"

Dadi: "Every single rupee. He bought food and medicine for the sick. He fed the hungry. He helped those who couldn't help themselves."

Guddu: "But what did he tell his father?"

Dadi: "When he returned home empty-handed, his father was furious. "Where are the goods? Where is the profit?""

Guddu: "What did Nanak say?"

Dadi: "Nanak said calmly, "Father, I have made the truest bargain. I invested your money where it was needed most - in serving God's children.""

Guddu: "Was his father happy?"

Dadi: "Not at first! He was so angry that he slapped Nanak. But Guru Nanak didn't flinch. He knew in his heart that feeding the hungry was worth more than any business profit."

Guddu: "Did people understand later?"

Dadi: "Over time, everyone came to see the wisdom. Guru Nanak grew up to teach that true profit isn't counted in money. It's counted in lives helped, suffering eased, love shared."

Guddu: "That's why Sikhs have langar, right? Free food for everyone?"

Dadi: "Exactly! That spirit of feeding the hungry started right there, with a young man who chose people over profit. The place where Nanak fed those villagers is still remembered today. They call it "Sacha Sauda" - the true bargain."

Guddu: "Dadi, I think Nanak was right. Helping people is more important than making money."

Dadi: "*hugs him* And that's a lesson the world still needs to learn. When you see someone hungry, remember this story. Even a small act of kindness is a true bargain."

Guddu: "I'll remember, Dadi. Thank you for this story."

Dadi: "Thank you for listening with your heart, my little one."