In the village of Shahpur lived a man known less by his real name and more by the moniker "Palturam." His actual name was Govind, but his habit of lying and constantly changing his story earned him this nickname from the villagers.
The Game of Lies and the Villagers' Distress
Palturam had a nature of making promises and then breaking them. Because of this habit, no one in the village trusted him. He would go to the barber, get a haircut on credit, and then disappear, making false excuses about payment. He would borrow goods from shopkeepers and then deny his debt. Gradually, the villagers grew weary of him.
Warning of Expulsion from the Village
One day, the village headman and some elders went to Palturam's house and complained to his mother. They warned that if Palturam didn't mend his ways, he would be expelled from the village. His mother was distressed and said, "There's only one solution now—marriage. Perhaps responsibility will reform him."
The Arrival of Lajo and the Beginning of Change
Within a few days, Palturam married Lajwanti, affectionately called "Lajo" by everyone. She was very sensible and intelligent. After meeting the village women, who recounted Palturam's misdeeds, Lajo confronted him: "If you don't stop lying, I will return to my parents' house!"
The Vow of Silence—A Unique Remedy for Lies
Palturam feared losing Lajo. He promised he would never lie again. Lajo suggested a new approach: "From today, you will not open your mouth to anyone until you completely change!" Now, Palturam worked in the village fields, repaid his debts to shopkeepers, and performed all his tasks silently. Gradually, the villagers began to trust him.
Misunderstanding and Palturam's Test
One day, some villagers were sitting at the village gathering place. Seeing Palturam returning from the fields, they stopped him. The headman jokingly asked, "What's this, Palturam? Marriage has reformed you!"
Palturam was trapped. If he spoke, his wife would leave him; if he didn't, the villagers wouldn't let him go. He tried to explain through gestures that if Lajo left him, he would hang himself.
But the villagers misunderstood. They thought Lajo had hanged herself! The entire village rushed to his house, and seeing Lajo safe and sound, they became furious and started beating Palturam.
The Truth Revealed and a New Name
Hearing the commotion, Lajo rushed there and explained the truth to the villagers. "I asked him to remain silent to break his lying habit. He hasn't harmed anyone all this time, yet you all punished him?"
The villagers realized their mistake. The headman immediately announced, "From today, no one will call him Palturam, but respectfully address him by his real name, Govind."
A New Identity and a Happy Life
The villagers now respected Palturam. His mother was overjoyed that her daughter-in-law, Lajo, had given her son a new identity. Govind and Lajo now lived happily ever after.
Moral of the Story: Lying only brings disgrace, but truth and honesty bring respect and recognition.
