The Unwanted Guests

Long long ago, there lived a priest named Vishnu in a small village. He had a wife named Budhimati. Inspite of their poverty, Vishnu often invited friends and acquaintances for meals. Budhimati served them and slept empty stomach. She was worried and wanted a way to get out of this problem. The next day, Vishnu invited a merchant for lunch. Vishnu went to fetch some water from the well. Meanwhile Budhimati bought a long stick and started worshipping it. The merchant was puzzled. He questioned her action. She said that she was praying to God for him. She said that her husband Vishnu was a mad man. He greeted his guests by beating them with the stick. The man immediately ran out in fear. And he told everyone in the village not to visit Vishnu's house for a meal or else they will be served solid beatings. Since that day none ever dared to accept Vishnu's invitation for a meal. That way Budhimati got rid of the unwanted guests.