part 14

The friends of the wood sculptor asked, "Friend, why are you speaking like this today?"

The wood sculptor replied, "Where are the connoisseurs of art in this town? An artist does not receive the respect and recognition in his own village that he gets in a foreign land. I wish to go abroad to earn wealth. If fate favors me, I will become prosperous and gain fame as well."

The goldsmith said, "What you say is true, but you will have to leave your family. Can you live alone without them?"

The wood sculptor replied, "Friend! To gain something, one must lose something. Besides, I am not leaving forever. I will return in a few years."

The Brahmin friend said, "Wood sculptor brother! You speak the truth. Knowledge and wisdom are valued only in foreign lands. What use is my knowledge in this small town? If I do not use my mantras, I feel my knowledge will go to waste. I too wish to go abroad."

The four friends shared a deep bond. The goldsmith and the cloth tailor said, "If you both wish to go abroad, what will we do here?"

When all four friends decided to embark on their journey, their families bid them farewell with blessings.

In ancient times, travel was not safe. Means of transport were limited. Dense forests, wild animals, and fear of robbers always loomed over travelers. The four friends enjoyed the beauty of nature as they journeyed. By fate, one night, they had to spend the night in a forest. They decided that since the jungle was dangerous, each one of them would keep watch during one quarter of the night. In case of danger, the guard would wake the others.

The wood sculptor would stand watch in the first quarter, the tailor in the second, the goldsmith in the third, and the Brahmin in the final quarter of the night.

As the first quarter of the night began, the wood sculptor took his turn to keep watch. He thought, Sitting idle all night is a difficult task. I will get sleepy. Why not do some work?

He picked up a large wooden log and began carving a female figure. Slowly, the form of a woman emerged from the wood. When the statue was complete, he was mesmerized by his own creation. The proportional body, sharp features—its beauty was unparalleled.

He gazed at the young woman's statue and thought, If only such a beautiful woman were alive, I would risk my life to win her. But wishing for real happiness from an inanimate object is like chasing a mirage. Even if nothing else, this artwork is enough to make me wealthy. I will sell it in a big city.

The wood sculptor kept admiring the statue, unable to get enough of its beauty.

The first quarter of the night ended. He woke up the cloth tailor and said, "Friend, the first quarter of the night is over. Wake up and stand guard."

The cloth tailor woke up and said, "The first quarter passed so quickly." He shook off his sleep and sat down for his turn. But after a while, he noticed the female statue in the moonlight and was astonished.

No woman can compare to this beauty. But the statue is undressed. If the wood sculptor can carve such a masterpiece in just one quarter of the night, can I not dress it in beautiful garments?

He took out fine silk fabric from his belongings, selected colors, took the statue's measurements, and started stitching clothes. When the outfit was ready, he dressed the wooden statue in elegant attire.

Even a plain-looking woman appears beautiful in fine clothing, and this was an exceptionally beautiful statue—it became even more enchanting.

Suddenly, the distant roar of a lion was heard. His chain of thoughts broke, and he listened carefully, preparing to wake his three friends if the lion came closer. But as the sound faded, he saw no immediate danger.

He turned back to admire the statue.

Time never stops—it keeps flowing like a river. Midnight passed. The tailor woke the goldsmith and said, "Friend, wake up! Midnight has passed."

Rubbing his eyes, the goldsmith sat up and said, "Alright, now you rest. I will stay awake."

To be continued…