Two Friends : Sureshchand and Girishwar

Morale of the Story: " Honesty Is the best policy "

In a certain village there once lived two friends called Sureshchand and Girishwar. Girishwar was a dishonest man.
He thought that if he could get Sureshchand to start some business with him, he could cheat him of his share and become a rich man.So he went to Sureshchand and said, “Friend, I have an idea. Let us go out into another town and make some money”.Sureshchand agreed to his proposal and they set off towards the nearest town.They soon made a lot of money and were on their way back home.

Suddenly Girishwar asked his friend to halt and said “A thought just struck me that it is not safe to take all the money back with us. Let us take only a small sum and bury the rest here.” Sureshchand agreed.

So the two friends set to work, and soon the money was safely tucked away.“ Now there is no fear of thieves or burglars,” exclaimed Girishwar but in his mind he had already decided that he would come back and collect it all. They soon reached home.

That night Girishwar returned quietly to the pIace where the money was buried, and took it all for himself. The next day he went to Sureshchand’s house. “Friend,” cried Girishwar, “ I have finished all my money. Let’s go and fetch some more”.Sureshchand was surprised that his friend had spent it all so soon. But being a good friend, he agreed. So off they went.

But when they dug up the pit, the pot of money was nowhere to be seen. Girishwar was quick to place the blame on his honest friend. “You thief you call yourself my friend. Return the money or I’ll take you to the judge.” Sureshchand was shocked at the accusation. “I am an honest man. How could you suspect me?” he cried.

Quarrelling all the way, they went to the judge.Judge asked both of them and Girishwar began to narrate his false stories to the judge. “This man has stolen the money. The forest God is my witness. He will speak the truth.” So it was decided by the judge to visit the forest God the following day. Hearing this Girishwar went straight home to his father and said, “Father, I have stolen Sureshchand’s money. You will have to do as I say.” His father agreed.

The next morning Sureshchand, Girishwar, the judge and the village elders went to the tree where the money had been buried. Girishwar cried confidently, “O tree god. Tell us who the thief is!” Girishwar’s father, who was hidden in the hollow of the tree, said, “SURESHCHAND IS THE THIEF.” While the others were busy discussing the case, Sureshchand was busy collecting dried leaves and twigs. These he placed near the hollow of the tree and.... Set them alight. As the fire rose into the hollow, Girishwar’s father came out of the tree crying that it had been his son’s fault.The judge understood it all and was angry.The judge decided that for this crime Girishwar would be hung on that very tree, there and then.

The End