20th Day Story

 An enemy can also become a well-wisher. Owing to the argument the demon saved the brahmin's pair of calves. 

In a town, there lived an extremely poor brahmin by the name of Drona. His livelihood depended on people's charity and alms. He could never enjoy good clothes, beauty aids, perfumes, ornaments, betel, etc. His beard, moustache and nails were always untrimmed. Summer, rains and inclement weather had made his body emaciated. A man performing a Yagya noticed the abject penury of the brahmin and gifted him with a pair of calves. Right from the time the calves were young, the brahmin would collect oil, ghee, grass, etc and feed the calves and the calves soon grew up and became strong. 

A thief noticed the brahmin's calves and decided "I will steal this Brahman's pair of calves". During the night, he collected a rope and left his home with the intention of stealing the calves. Halfway down the road, he saw a ferocious-looking person with a row of sharp teeth, upraised nose, large red eyes, large veins showing on his body, lean face, and flame-coloured beard and moustache. Looking at this person, the thief got scared. Yet, he mustered enough courage and asked this person, -- "Who are you?" 

The person answered, -- "I am a brahmin-devouring demon by the name of Satyavachan. Please introduce yourself." 

The thief replied, -- "I am a thief by the name of Kroorkarma. I have started from home to steal the pair of calves of the poor brahmin." 

Reposing his trust in the thief, the demon said, "Friend! I have not eaten for six days. I shall now eat brahmin. Good! We both have the same kind of work." 

Both reached the brahmin's house and waited at a quiet spot for the right moment. 

Watching him sleep, the demon to eat the brahmin, moved towards him. The thief called out, -- "Sir, this is not right. You eat the brahmin after I have stolen and taken away the calves." 

The demon said, -- "If the brahmin wakes up from the noise of the calves then for me all is in vain." 

The thief said, -- "While you are eating the brahmin if some hurdle comes our way then I will not be able to steal the calves. Therefore, I will take the calves first, then you eat the brahmin." 

Their argument increased, both were opposing each other and during this discussion, the brahmin woke up. 

On seeing the brahmin awake, the thief said, "O brahmin! this demon wants to eat you." 

Promptly, the demon said, "O brahmin, this thief wants to steal the pair of calves." 

On hearing both of them the brahmin stood up and became alert, and remembered God. By remembering God, he was able to save himself from the demon. He then picked up a stick and saved his calves from the thief.