The Story of The Weaver
(Najamuddin Ghanghro, Karachi (Original from Larkana))
There was a weaver called
Mandharaka in a southern city. One day, when he was weaving clothes, the wooden
frames necessary for weaving were totally damaged. He went to the forest to
bring wood to make new frames. From the forest he drifted towards the seashore
where he saw a gigantic tree and thought that if he could cut wood from the tree
it would stand him in good stead throughout his life.
As he started to cut the tree, a Yaksha living on that tree said, “O weaver,
this tree is my home. So I have to protect it. I am very comfortable here
enjoying the cool breeze coming from the sea.”
Mandharaka said, “Sir, If I do not cut the tree and take home its wood, my
family will starve and die. So, please go somewhere else. I have to cut this
tree.”
“All right, if you do not cut the tree, I will give you a boon of your choice,”
said the Yaksha.
The weaver said, “Sir, in that case, I will go home and consult my wife and
friends. You can give me the boon later.”
On the Yaksha agreeing to it, Mandharaka went home and on his way he met his
friend who was a barber and asked him, “Friend, a Yaksha has given me a boon of
my choice and gave me time to consult friends and my wife. What boon do you want
me to ask him?”
“Ask him to give you a kingdom. You will be the king and I will be your
minister. Both of us can enjoy life here and hereafter,” said the barber.
“True. But let me ask my wife also,” said Mandharaka. The barber warned the
weaver against consulting his wife and said quoting learned people:
“A wise man can give to his woman
Fine clothes, pearls and diamonds;
But never consult her on his affairs
Because women have low wits.”