Poor Man's daughter

A POOR MAN’S DAUGHTER

Anandapura was a rich town. In that town there was a poor man, named Daridranatha. Truly he was poor according to his name. He had lost his beloved wife.

But had a beautiful daughter, by name Lakshmi. Though her name was Lakshmi, She wore ragged dress. She was not even combing her hair, She was always helping her father in his work.

Daridranatha was fond of his daughter very much. He was forgetting the agony of his lost wife, looking at her. She was resembling the face of her mother completely. Her father was feeding her, starving himself. But he was talking care to hide the fact from Lakshmi

One day when she was coming back from the bazar with vegetables in the basket,Ahmed, a fruit seller saw her. He was attracted by her beauty.

He thought to kidnap her. He talked with her very nicely and made her to yield for his words. He told her that he would guide her to become rich daughter.

Lakshmi, being an innocent girl, accepted his opinion, and went with him. He bought for her the good dress and ornaments. He told her that she now appeared more beautiful than before.

Ahmed sent her to learn dance and music. She became perfect in both. Now she was sold to Muthamma, the debachanist for three thousand rupees.

Muthamma was also a dancer and musician. But she was too old now. So she was taking to several performances, this Lakshmi, for dancing. Within a short period, she was wellfamed.

Daridranatha was filled with grief for the loss of his daughter. He searched and searched for her. But in vain. Years together passed on. But where abouts of Lakshmi was not known.

One day in a dancing performance, he saw his daughter dancing in the midst of claps by the audiences. He wondered looking at her. How to talk and introduce himself with her? He did not get any idea. He waited till the function was over. Lakshmi got down from the platform with Muthamma.

But Muthamma was addressing her name ‘Gowri’. He came under confusion. He saw her close to him, when she was passing at the out door. He recognized the black spot on her right chin. Being poor, he was wearing torn clothes, so he kept silent by fright.

He came back home. But his heart was calling the name “Lakshmi” several times. He was completely discontented now. He told his inner fact with his neighbourer, Neelamma. Neelamma thought for a little while silently and suddenly said – “Friend, why can’t you go and approach Birbal at his residence? He may help you, to solve your problem. Because he is serving in Badshah Akbar’s court.

Daridranatha did the same. Birbal listened attentively to the poor man’s words and said to him, Badsha’s consoling, “please come and meet me tomorrow in court. We send for your daughter and Muthamma also there. “Daridranatha went back home with a litted content.

Nezt day he entered the court of Akbar. He saw Birbal also beside him. Even Muthamma with Lakshmi had come.

Akbar enquired with Muthamma-

“is she your daughter? What is her name?”

Muthamma answered with fright- “Jahapanah, she is my tamed daughter. Her name is Gowri.”

Akbar also enquired the girl-“Who is your father? Where did you come from?”

She said “ I know nothing of my father. From my childhood, I am with this mother; under protection.”

Akbar was unable to settle the case. Looing at them, ordered – “You all may go”

Muthamma with Lakshmi went back smiling. Daridranatha gazed at Birbal helplessly. Birbal told Akbar – Huzur, I am doubtful of those two. If you permit me, I ‘ll settle this case easily tomorrow. Akbar gave his permission. Birbal told Daridranatha to come again tomorrow. He also whispered something in his ears.

Again Akbar send his servents for Muthamma and that young girl to attend the court the next day.

Wher all the members, including those three arrived the court, Birbal looked at the poor man, Daridranatha. Daridranatha caught Birbal’s idea. He loudly called twice, “Lakshmi, Lakshmi?”

Lakshmi, beside Muthamma turned at the side where the voice from. At once Birbal asked her-

“Why did you see that side so fearfully?”

Lakshmi, trembling, said – “I thought that was my father’s voice.”

Birbal smilingly said – “ Yesterday you told that you know nothing of your father. Muthamma said that your name is “Gowri”. Both of you are the liars. Both of you should be punished.

Muthamma now, was very much afraid of. She told the real fact- “your honour, your words are true. I purchased the young girl from a Muslim. Her name is Lakshmi. I was calling her Gowri’

Lakshmi felt frightned, she rushed at her father and embraced him with a bitter cry. Akbar and the courtmen were quite astonished and admired the intelligence of Birbal in settling the case.

Birbal said Daridranatha – “ Perform your daughter’s marriage at an early date. I ‘ll arrange for payment of expenditure amount by Muthamma.” Muthamma also accepted his settlement without a word.

The poor man and his daughter saluted both Akbar and Birbal, went back joyously to their home.