A Brahman named Harisarman, impoverished and foolish, struggles to provide for his large family. Seeking better fortune, he becomes an attendant to a wealthy householder, Sthuladatta. During a wedding feast, he is overlooked and, feeling disrespected, decides to feign magical abilities to gain respect. He steals a horse belonging to Sthuladatta's son-in-law and, when the horse goes missing, claims he can retrieve it. His wife informs Sthuladatta of her husband's supposed magical skills, leading to Harisarman being called upon. He pretends to use astrology to locate the horse, which is soon found, earning him respect and a place of honor. As time passes, a thief steals treasures from the king's palace, and Harisarman is summoned due to his newfound reputation. He delays, fearing exposure of his deception, and is confined in a chamber. A maid named Jihva, who is the actual thief, overhears him lamenting his false claims and, in fear, confesses to him, revealing the treasure's location. Harisarman, seizing the opportunity, demands gold from her and later leads the king to the buried treasure, claiming the thief escaped with part of it. The king rewards him with land and riches. However, the king's minister grows suspicious and devises a test. He presents Harisarman with a covered pitcher containing a frog, challenging him to identify its contents. Fearing for his life, Harisarman recalls a childhood nickname for frogs and cleverly speaks to the frog, inadvertently impressing the onlookers with his apparent divination skills. The king, believing in Harisarman's magical prowess, rewards him further with more land and wealth. Harisarman's fortunes rise, and he continues to thrive, despite the precariousness of his deception.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1892 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Fantasy