Once they lived a well read man in a village who was unfortunately ignored by all the people there. He was called as Manduka which means frog in Sanskrit. Manduka's 'jihva' or tongue got frozen when he was asked to speak. So everyone in the village believed that he was a dullard.
However Manduka wanted to change this perception.
There was a lavish wedding conducted by a rich merchant in the very village that Manduka lived.
However Manduka was not invited to the marriage.
As he looked at the wedding house, Manduka had a sudden idea.
He led the horse on which the bride groom was supposed to ride inside, away from the place where the wedding was to take place.
That day there was a great frenzy at the wedding. Everyone was looking for the horse to bring the groom to the place but it was missing.
The merchant even appointed an astrologer to look into the stars and find out where the horse was.
However they were not able to find it anywhere.
Finally Manduka's wife went to the merchant and said that her husband was very well read and he may be able to help the merchant.
Having no choice, the merchant went to Manduka.
Manduka was able to guide the merchant's men to the horse because he was the one who had hidden the horse in the forest near a pond. Because no one knew that.
The merchant was thrilled at getting his horse back and he lavishly paid Manduka a lot of money.
After this incident people in the village started respecting Manduka and his fame spread far and wide throughout the kingdom.
It so happened that the king of the kingdom also heard of Manduka.
Now the king had a problem.
The precious jewels of the queen were missing from the queen's quarters. No matter where they searched for it they could not find it.
Having no other choice the king approached Manduka for help.
The king asked Manduka to come to the palace and stay there to find the jewels or guide the kingsman in finding the jewels.
When Manduka arrived at the palace the king was very particular that Manduka should not leave the palace without finding the jewels pointing out who had stolen the jewels.
The jewels had been stolen by Jeeva, a servant in the palace. She had been worried as soon as Manduka had come to the palace. She was worried that Manduka would be able to find out that she had hidden the jewels. She stood outside the quarters assigned to Manduka hoping to overhear Manduka and know whom he suspected.
Manduka was worriedly pacing his quarters because he was sure that now everyone would know that he was not a fortune teller but just a person who had been deceiving others.
He was berating himself for his silliness at taking the horse of the bride groom and hiding it in the forests. "Jivha, you are doomed. You have brought this upon yourself."
Naturally Jeeva, the servant who was at the door heard it and she was frightened.
She was sure that Manduka had figured out that she was a thief.
She ran and fell at the feet of the fortune teller. "I shall return all the jewels. Please save me."
Now that the king had got back the jewels, Manduka became even richer and more powerful in the kingdom.
Adapted from the Katha Sarith Sagara
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