There was a poor Brahmin who lived in his hut in a small town. He performed rituals and sacrifices in and around the town for other people. They gave him a little money or some gifts. Sometimes they gave him food. Very often, he went to sleep hungry.
One day, it was cool and cloudy. He thought he would go to a town in the neighbourhood. The way to the village lay through a forest. He had a friend there who, he thought, would give him some food and perhaps a gift too.
His friend welcomed him and he performed the rituals with care. He had a good lunch. Then his friend presented him a goat. The Brahmin was delighted. Now he would have a goat for sacrifice and a rich meal as well! He picked up the goat and put it across his shoulders. Jauntily, he set off home across the forest.
Lost in his own happy thoughts, he did not notice three crooks who were hiding in the forest, waiting to get hold of a victim. As soon as they saw the Brahmin with the goat, they knew they had found their next victim!
They hid among the trees, whispering their plan to one another. Then one of the crooks came out and called out, “Hello friend! Why are you carrying this dirty-looking dog on your shoulders?” “Dog? No sir. This is a goat that I received as a gift. I am taking it home for a sacrifice,” said the Brahmin. “Well, if you say it’s a goat, that’s all right. Goodbye,” said the crook and he went off.
The Brahmin went on his way. In a while, the second crook stopped him. “Hey! Why are you carrying a dead calf on your shoulders?” the crook asked.
“Dead calf? Are you crazy? Can’t you see it’s a goat? It is alive too,” said the Brahmin who was irritated now.
“Fine, if that is what you think, I have nothing to say. Goodbye friend!” and the crook went off laughing loudly.
The Brahmin was becoming more and more puzzled as he walked along. Suddenly, the third crook met him on the path. When he saw the crook staring at him, the Brahmin asked, “ What are you staring at?”
“You!” said the crook. “But why?” said the worried Brahmin. “Because I don’t understand why you should be carrying a donkey around!” The Brahmin was now thoroughly frightened. First a dog; then a dead calf; and now a donkey! Surely, the gift was bewitched! He flung the goat down and ran out of the forest back to his home!
The crooks came out and picked up the goat. That night, they had a great feast eating the goat!
