Once upon a time, in a bustling village, there lived a kind-hearted weaver named Mantharaka. He worked diligently every day, weaving beautiful cloth to sell at the market. One day, while working, he broke his loom and decided to cut down a tree to make a new one. As he was about to strike the tree, a Yaksha (a celestial being) appeared before him.
The Yaksha said, “Dear Mantharaka, I can grant you one wish. Ask, and it shall be yours.”
Mantharaka thought for a moment. “Let me consult my friend and my wife before making a decision,” he said. The Yaksha agreed, and Mantharaka set off to seek advice.
On his way, he met his friend, the village barber, who was known for his worldly wisdom. “Friend,” said Mantharaka, “I have met a Yaksha who offers to grant me a wish. What should I ask for?”
The barber replied, “Ask for a kingdom! You can rule as king, and I shall be your prime minister.”
Mantharaka nodded but said, “That sounds grand, but I must consult my wife as well.”
When he reached home, he shared the barber’s suggestion with his wife. “The barber advises me to ask for a kingdom. What do you think?”
She frowned and said, “Oh, dear husband, do not be swayed by the barber’s words. Ruling a kingdom brings many troubles. Instead, ask the Yaksha for another head and pair of arms. With two heads and four arms, you can weave more cloth and earn more money.”
Mantharaka thought this was a wise idea and returned to the Yaksha. “Yaksha, grant me another head and pair of arms, as my wife suggested,” he said.
The Yaksha granted the wish, and Mantharaka returned home, now with two heads and four arms. Excited, he walked through the village to show everyone. But the children screamed, “Monster! Monster!” The villagers, frightened by his appearance, chased him with sticks and stones. In their panic, they killed him.
The story teaches us an important lesson: Think carefully before making decisions. Sometimes, what seems like a good idea can lead to unexpected consequences.