A blind Brahman and his wife rely on their son, who grows weary of begging and decides to seek fortune in another land. He finds work as a caretaker of a golden temple, earning a modest salary. After two months without news, his wife sets out to find him, discovering that the temple offers a daily golden rupee to beggars. The Brahman gives her a piece of paper with three pieces of advice, instructing her to present it to the king for a reward of a lac of rupees. The wife sends a relative to the king, but he is punished for his attempt to present the advice. The wife then goes herself, and the king's son, intrigued by the paper, rewards her with the promised amount. However, the king is furious and banishes his son for this act. The prince, now exiled, encounters a man who offers him shelter but attempts to kill him. The prince cleverly saves himself by telling a story about a dog that was killed by its owner, illustrating the consequences of rash actions. The prince continues his journey, disguising himself as a holy man and curing a king's wife, which leads to further complications when the queen's pearl rosary goes missing. The prince escapes execution due to his cleverness. He then learns of a princess whose husbands die on their wedding night. He offers to take the place of a potter's son, intending to confront the danger. During the night, he battles and kills the snakes that threaten him, proving his worth to the king. After a year in the palace, the prince returns home, bringing gifts and wealth. He reconciles with his family, who had mourned his absence. His parents, now blind from grief, regain their sight when he touches their eyes. The prince shares his adventures and the wisdom he gained from the advice, leading to a joyful reunion and a restored family. The narrative emphasizes the importance of wisdom, the consequences of actions, and the value of family bonds.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1894 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Adventure