Once upon a time, there lived a poor beggar. He had no one- no family, no friends. Alone he used to walk miles and reach new villages he could. He seldom stayed there for a week. Collect alms to survive. He disliked begging, but he had no choice. He was malnourished and was a misfit for any kind of physical work. To collect alms without any job was a thing he hated to his core. Thus, he decided to sing and get alms. Whenever he sang, pedestrians seldom stop and laugh at him. After a week, he embarked on another village. This was the way his life was going on.
Once, he reached a temple on the outskirts of the village. He hadn’t managed to get decent food for a week. He drank water from the nearby river and sat on the temple premises.
He looked outside at sunset and realized the temple was located in a lovely spot. He shut his eyes and started taking Lord’s name. He began singing hymns, very passionately, engrossed.
Apsara Urvashi regularly visited this temple. The beggar was so engrossed in his singing that he didn’t notice Apsara’s arrival. Apsara offered prayers in the shrine. Beggar’s singing was so enchanting that it created a rush of spirituality and divinity within her. Finding solace in his singing, she came to the main premises to see the singer. She spotted the beggar and stood beside him.
After the beggar’s hymns got over, he opened his eyes. Surprised to see an Apsara standing in front of him. He couldn’t speak a word. He was so fascinated by her beauty.
Apsara offered him a gold coin, but he refused, ‘All day I beg for food, but I don’t want to a beggar in a sacred place like this temple.’
Impressed by his humility, she asked him to sing for her. They walked to the riverside. The beggar started singing, and she danced. She gave the beggar a gold coin as a token of appreciation. The beggar accepted it and bought a small house in the village. Every full moon night, the beggar came to visit Apsara, sing for her and receive a gold coin.
Soon beggar could afford a good life. The beggar gave himself a name- Bhima. He made friends in the village. He married a merchant’s daughter. He started enjoying life and continued meeting Apsara. No one knew his source of income. All villagers could see that he is becoming more affluent and more prosperous. Bhima’s wife never asked him about his source of income. She trusted him completely. Soon he was blessed with a son. He named him Surya.
After 20 years, living a good life, Bhima was lying on the deathbed. Fearing how to maintain the family’s lavish lifestyle, he confided in his son. Bhima told Surya about Apsara. He asked Surya to meet Apsara Urvashi on a full moon night. Bhima was unwell for the past six months and hadn’t met Apsara since then. After offering payers, Apsara used to wait for him in the riverside and leave disappointed. Surya reached the riverside and was so enthralled seeing Apsara that he could speak a word. Numbed by her presence, he could only regain his senses when she was gone. After reaching home, he told his father about the incident. Bhima asked him to go early next full moon night. Next full moon night, Surya got on time. Apsara arrived, and she asked, ‘Who are you?’
‘I am Bhima’s son. Father is not well. I am here...’
Even before he could finish, Apsara interrupted him.
‘Oh, so you are here collect gold coin from me,’ said Apsara.
‘No, I am here to present you something,’ said Surya giving her a big piece of cloth.
She opened it and saw a beautiful painting of herself in a dance pose.
‘I was here last full moon night, I saw you, but I couldn’t meet you,’ said Surya sheepishly.
‘It is so beautiful,’ said Apsara and gave him a gold coin.
She asked him to get her painting every full moon night. Surya accepted the deal.
Surya, too, started enjoying his life and continued meeting Apsara. No one knew his source of income. All villagers could see that he was becoming richer and richer like his father.
Moral of the short story: Believe in your talents, nurture it well. God has a mysterious way to reward you.
Happy Reading!
About the writer: Nisha is the author of a highly appreciated novel, The Blue Jinx.
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