In a village in
Marathwada there lived a Brahmin named Gundoba Bhat with his family. After his daily worship of God Vaijnath, it was his
practice to feed some poor people. He was a very holy and generous man.
But his wife did not like his feeding every day. She thought it a waste. But she could not say so openly or do anything
against the wishes of her husband. One day, while he was on his way to Vaijnaath shrine, he met a poor Brahmin. He invited
the poor Brahmin to take his meal with him.
He said, "You please go to my place. I will be back home in no time after doing the puja."
The poor Brahmin reached Gundoba's house as directed. The wife naturally got angry when she saw the visitor at the door.
But she thought, 'Today is a good day since my husband is not at home. I must get rid of the unwanted guest by some trick.'
Once the guest was inside, she welcomed him and offered him a glass of water. She then pretended to weep and started
shedding tears.
 When the guest asked her why she was crying, she
said, "It is my husband's daily practice to bring a guest, pretending to feed him. Then he ties him to a post and thrashes
him With a grain pounder. That is why Brahmins avoid our house. That is the reason for my sorrow. But I am helpless. I can
say nothing."
The frightened guest lay down before the lady and begged her to save him. The wife then let him out of the house through the
back door.
When Gundoba returned, he asked about the guest.
His wife said, "What a strange person today's guest was. As soon as he came in, he asked me for a grain-pounder and a piece
of strong rope. As I was scared by the strange wish, I said no. At this, the fool left the house in a rage."
Gundoba explained, "Probably he wanted these for some puja. Give me the pounder and the rope. I will go and hand them over
to him." He took them and started running after the guest.
Meanwhile the guest, walking slowly and wondering about the strange ways his host, had not gone far. When he happened to
look back, he saw Gundoba running after him with the pounder and the rope in his hands.
When Gundoba shouted, "Please wait, I have brought the pounder and rope for you," the frightened guest increased his speed
and escaped.
Poor Gundoba returned home a sorry man, particularly because he had fed no poor man on that day, but his wife was happy that
she had succeeded in her trick.
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The Clever Wife