The Idler’s Astrology

Hargovind did everything a day late. “One must think twice before doing anything,” was his excuse for his laziness. When a proposal for their daughter’s marriage arrived, his wife insisted, “You must go and meet the bridegroom’s father tomorrow.”

Hargovind yawned and let two days pass under the pretext of bad weather. He finally consulted the almanac and discovered that an auspicious time was to come five days later. “The wise always follow astrology,” he declared, choosing to wait for the perfect moment.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Hargovind ventured out but returned only two hours later. His wife, surprised by his early return, asked, “Is it not half a day’s way?”

“Yes, but I found out that the bridegroom got married yesterday,” he replied, somewhat deflated. His wife sighed, “What was the use of your waiting for an auspicious moment to go out?”

Hargovind shrugged and recounted, “The cart I was traveling in overturned, and all the other passengers were injured. But look at me! Do you see a scratch?” He concluded, blissfully ignoring the broader implications of his delays.