A miserly Brahman named Svabhavakripana hoards leftover rice in a pot, dreaming of wealth and prosperity. He envisions a future where he transforms his modest rice into a fortune through a series of investments in livestock, ultimately leading to a grand house and a beautiful daughter-in-law. His daydreams spiral into elaborate scenarios, including the birth of a grandson, Somasarman, and the joys of family life. However, in a moment of distraction, he accidentally kicks the pot, shattering it and spilling the rice everywhere. This incident serves as a metaphor for the futility of his extravagant plans, illustrating that those who focus on unrealistic future ambitions may end up with nothing, much like the Brahman covered in rice. The story conveys a moral lesson about the dangers of greed and the importance of living in the present rather than getting lost in dreams of wealth and success.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1890 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Satire