Lajo's life, spent traversing the village pathways, was remarkable in its simplicity. Every morning, as she returned from fetching water from the village well, her unassuming nature and virtuous character commanded the respect of the villagers. One day, on her way back, an elderly man asked her for water. Without hesitation, Lajo offered him a drink from her pitcher. The elderly man blessed her, thanked her, and continued on his way.
An Old Friendship, a New Kinship
Upon reaching home, Lajo saw the same elderly man sitting and conversing with her father, Ramdhan, on a cot. This man was none other than Ramdhan's old friend, Ratnalal, who had come to visit after many years. During their conversation, Ratnalal praised Lajo and lauded her compassionate nature. After some time, Ratnalal formally proposed marriage between Lajo and his eldest son, Satyam, to Ramdhan. Tears of joy welled up in Ramdhan's eyes, but the constraints of his poverty made him hesitant. Ratnalal reassured him that he would take care of everything—he only needed his daughter's consent.
A Test of Character and Devotion
The wedding date was set. To ensure his daughter's happiness, Ramdhan mortgaged his land to finance the wedding preparations. A week before the wedding, when he went to Ratnalal's village to meet him, Ratnalal witnessed his hard work and dedication. He explained to Ramdhan that this relationship was not about wealth but about character and values.
Ratnalal's younger son, Vansh, redeemed the mortgaged land documents and also gave Ramdhan fifty thousand rupees to ensure there were no shortcomings in the wedding preparations.
Joy, Tears, and the End of a Life
Overwhelmed by his friend's selfless act, Ramdhan became emotional. Tears flowed from his eyes, but his heart was filled with satisfaction knowing his daughter's future was secure. Suddenly, unable to contain his immense joy, he passed away. His death plunged the entire village into mourning. Ratnalal attended his friend's funeral rites and vowed to fulfill his responsibilities. After the thirteen-day mourning period, Satyam and Lajo were married simply and with dignity.
Moral Lesson
A person's character is their true identity. Character is greater than wealth, and true relationships are built and sustained on this foundation. Lajo's simple nature and compassionate spirit shaped her destiny, but Ramdhan's overwhelming happiness led to his demise.
