A Bonefire

Vasudev’s Prosperity

Vasudev had prospered well as a trader in town. However, he never forgot his village. Not only did he retain his ancestral house, but he also continued to invest more money over time to improve his lands and raise better crops.

A Noble Ambition

One of Vasudev’s greatest ambitions was to improve the lives of the villagers. Most of the people in the village were innocent, but there were a few individuals who took joy in misleading them.

The Proposal

At sunset, the villagers would gather under a large banyan tree to discuss their problems. One day, Vasudev proposed, “Every monsoon, when the river swells, floodwaters enter our fields and damage the crops. I suggest we raise the height of the embankment. I will cover half the expense, and the other half should be borne collectively by you.”

Disruption by Mischief-Makers

The villagers happily agreed to the proposal. However, as soon as Vasudev left, the troublemakers whispered among themselves, “Is Vasudev a fool to spend his money for our sake? He must have some ulterior motive. Perhaps he wants to buy all the lands below the embankment and ensure they aren’t affected by the flood.”

The Withdrawal

Distrustful, the villagers backed out. When Vasudev saw that no one was interested in the project, he decided it was best to keep quiet.

A Second Proposal

A few months later, Vasudev suggested, “There is a ditch at the entrance of our village that causes much inconvenience to outsiders. Why don’t we construct a bridge? I am willing to contribute two-thirds of the required money, while the remaining one-third should be borne collectively by the villagers.”

More Manipulation

“That is a nice idea,” said the villagers. But as soon as Vasudev walked away, the mischief-makers convinced them, “Vasudev is probably going to buy a vehicle to use between the town and our village. Why should we care about a bridge? Can’t we walk through a few yards of mud and water?”

Refusal to Cooperate

Persuaded by the naysayers, the villagers chose not to cooperate with Vasudev in constructing the bridge.

A Dangerous Ignition

Several months passed. One day, Vasudev remarked, “The plot of land I own on the outskirts of the village is overgrown with dry bushes. I won’t mind if someone sets them on fire!”

Consequences of Ignorance

That evening, some villagers lit a fire in the dry bushes. A fierce wind carried the sparks into the village, causing several thatched houses to catch fire.

The Realization

The villagers went to Vasudev, saying, “Look at what has happened because we followed your advice!”

Vasudev replied, “My friends, whenever I made constructive suggestions, you refused to accept them. Yet, the moment I presented a silly and nonsensical idea, you rushed to implement it. Why did those who dissuaded you from my earlier proposals not come forward to stop you from this unnecessary act?”

A Lesson Learned

The villagers quietly realized their mistake.