चतुर स्वर्णकार
Summary
In the kingdom of Pratapgarh, ruled by the just but harsh King Pratap Singh, a tall, stupa-shaped tower called the Tekti was used for executions. Criminals were left atop it without food or water until they died. In this kingdom lived two goldsmith brothers: Atmanand, a wise and skilled craftsman, and Paramanand, a jealous and idle man. Atmanand built a mechanical brass elephant for his son, which moved like a real one. The prince saw it and desired one made of gold. The king ordered Atmanand to build a gold elephant, providing fourteen maunds of gold. Atmanand completed it in a month, but secretly used only ten maunds, keeping four for himself. Paramanand, suspecting dishonesty, informed the king. An inspection found no impurity in the gold, so Paramanand was dismissed. He then had his wife coax the secret from Atmanand’s wife. Atmanand had revealed a method to weigh the elephant using a boat in a pond. The king tested this, discovered the theft, and sentenced Atmanand to the Tekti. Atmanand’s wife wept daily below the tower. To escape, Atmanand devised a plan. He instructed her to bring a thin thread, progressively thicker cords, a strong rope, and a mixture of curd and jaggery. She placed the jaggery near the tower’s base with the thread attached. Ants, attracted to the jaggery, carried the thread up the wall. Atmanand grabbed it and used it to pull up the thicker ropes. He secured the strong rope, lowered himself and other prisoners to safety. The next day, Paramanand saw Atmanand alive and informed the king. Astonished, the king summoned Atmanand, who explained his escape. Impressed by his intelligence, the king acknowledged him as the kingdom’s wisest man but condemned his dishonesty. He offered Atmanand the position of royal advisor if he publicly renounced his dishon
Conclusion
This story highlights the transformative power of intelligence and the importance of ethical conduct. The king’s decision to pardon Atmanand and appoint him as an advisor demonstrates that true wisdom values skill and the willingness to reform over punishment. Atmanand’s clever escape and his public renunciation of dishonesty show that even grave mistakes can be corrected, leading to redemption and a higher purpose. The outcome suggests that a society benefits most when it channels exceptional talent toward honest service, turning a potential tragedy into a story of personal growth and communal gain.