From: sramalin@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian.telugu
Subject: STORY ( C.M ) # 5
Date: 18 Dec 92 17:18:56 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

                             HUNGER OF THE DIETY
                            ---------------------
                                                    Author Unknown

Ramappa fell ill. No cure could be found for his sickness. The village and
state doctors have tried all possible medicines on him. As a final trial,
Ramappa prayed to the presiding Diety of the village. He prayed to the Diety
with an yearning heart that if he is cured of his illness, he would sacrifice a
buffallo to Her.

Miraculously, he was cured.

Now Ramappa thought that a buffallo is too expensive and kept postponing the
promised sacrifice. So one night the Diety appeared in dream to Ramappa and
reminded him of the beast to be given to Her. Ramappa,told Her the truth about
the cost of buffallo and as he was poor asked the Diety to let him give Her
sheep instead. The Diety, the very form of love, okayed it and disappeared.
Because the Diety waited and did no harm for not giving the bufffalo, Ramappa
kept postponing the sacrifice of the sheep too. Again the Diety had to remind
him one night. So Ramappa boldly told Her that sheep too is much expensive
and so he would prefer a rabbit, if it doesnot matter to the Diety. Saying that
Rabbit is better than nothing, She told him that the sacrifice must be made
as early as possible.

Now that Ramappa has secured two concessions, he never bothered about the
sacrifice, until one night, when the Diety reappeared to remind him of the
promised rabbit. Fiening penury and sorry state of affairs, he asked the Diety
whether a hen would suit Her,for the rabbit too is beyond his capacity.
Slightly piqued at the turn of events, the Diety said that it is alright to
give Her a hen in saccrifice but postponement is too much for Her.

Even now Ramappa made no sacrifice. He thought that if Diety could do some harm
to him, She could have alredy done something. But because She did nothing, he
didnot care Her anymore. Yet again the Diety reminded him of the hen in the
dream. Now Ramappa said that he cannot spend for a hen also and finally offered
Her a butterfly instead of the hen. Even to this the Diety had no objection
and let him give Her a butterfly. Ramappa had become jollier as the size and
cost of the beasts are coming down bit by bit. So he kept quiet.

So with a fierce form the Diety appeared in dream and demanded thus :
" Ramappa, this is too much. I saved you from the pangs of death and you the
wretch did not give me the promised buffallo. I allowed you to give a sheep
instead. But this turn of events of has led to a butterfly. I am very hungry
and have been waiting since long. I demand an explanation for this"

Ramappa replied coolly :
" O Mother of the Universe, what you say is astonishing. All learned people say
that you are the one who feeds the entire Universe and You say that You are
very hungry, because I have not offered a BUTTERFLY. After all what is a
butterfly to you ? Even if I offer the butterfly, will it fill your stomach ? "

The Diety laughed aloud and disappeared.
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian.telugu