Once upon a time there lived four friends: a carpenter, a tailor, a jeweler and a Brahman priest. They decided to go to foreign lands to earn money. They waited for a favorable day and hour, left their village and set off on a long journey.
They walked all day, and when evening came, they stopped for the night near a well. We ate and began to get ready for bed.
“Brothers, we can’t all sleep at once: something might happen,” said the jeweler, who had gold with him.
“That’s right, brother,” the tailor supported him. “Let’s take turns guarding.”
The Brahman fixed for each the time of his watch. The carpenter was supposed to be on guard first. He tried his best to stay awake, but fatigue took over and his eyes began to droop. Then the carpenter decided to do some work. He took a piece of wood, took out his tools and began to carve the doll. The result was a beautiful girl doll.
When it was the turn of the next guard, the carpenter woke up the tailor and went to bed.
The tailor saw a beautiful wooden doll. He took colorful fabrics, took measurements from the doll and began to sew. He sewed a smart blouse and a wide skirt for the doll, and made her a sari from red flowery material. The tailor dressed the doll like a girl and placed it next to him.
After midnight it was the jeweler's turn. He took out gold and began making jewelry for the doll. Made earrings, necklace, wrist and ankle bracelets and many other precious trinkets. The elegant, decorated doll has become even more beautiful.
Finally it was the brahmana's turn. He saw the doll and thought about it. “It would be nice to revive her with magic spells,” he thought and began to read spells and sprinkle water on the doll. Before the dawn had time to break, the doll came to life and turned into a young girl.
When morning came, everyone woke up and were surprised to see a beautiful girl next to them.
“I revived her with my spells, and I will marry her,” said the brahman.
- Well, no! - the carpenter protested. - How is this so? After all, I made it!
“And I made clothes for her,” the tailor intervened. “That’s why I’m marrying her.”
- Friends! - said the jeweler. - I spent thousands of rupees on jewelry for her. How can I allow both her and the jewelry to go to someone else?
At this time, people in the village woke up and approached the well. Seeing those arguing, one of the peasants, a wise old man, asked:
- Brothers! What are you arguing about? Tell us! The four friends took turns talking about everything that had happened. Everyone defended their right to marry a girl.
The old man listened to them and said:
“The carpenter made her, and the brahman brought her to life, so both of them are her fathers.” So neither one nor the other can take her as his wife. The tailor prepared clothes for her. This is the duty of the uncle: for the wedding, the uncle gives clothes to the bride. And the groom gives jewelry to the bride. Of the four of you, the jeweler gave her jewelry. So he can marry this girl.
And friends had to agree with such a wise decision. The jeweler took the girl as his wife, returned home with her, and they began to live happily.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru