~Binaya Kasajoo~
Translation : Kunda Dixit
The village headman used to wake up with the roosters every morning and walk down to the river to bathe. One morning, he met the White Ghost.
The headman had heard that White Ghost will do any bidding it one can steal some of his hair. So he lunged forward and uprooted a fistful of the ghost’s white fur. True to legend, the White Ghost fell at the headman’s feet and said he’d do anything to get his fur back.
The headman got the White Ghost to plough his fields, dig a water channel, replace his thatch roof and improve his garden. As soon as he had done one chore, the Ghost would ask for his fur back, but the headman would he ready with another home improvement idea. Soon, the headman ran out of things to do around his home, but he did not want to give the fur back despite the White Ghost’s entreaties.
Finally, the headman had a flash. He commanded the White Ghost: “Develop this village!” Upon hearing this, the White Ghost saw impossibility of the task, and lost all hope of getting his fur back. He fled and never came back. The headman was satisfied with the improvements in his own life, and lived happily ever after.
(Published in “Face to Face” magazine for development, No.12. July – September 1997.)
(Source : Writer’s Blog)
