The Three Promises

A young man named Aditya was walking through a forest when he stumbled upon a well. Thirsty, he wanted to drink some water but was shocked to see a tiger, a snake, and a man trapped inside the dry well. All three pleaded for Aditya to help them.

Aditya felt scared. “What if the tiger eats me? What if the snake bites me?” he thought. But the tiger reassured him, “I won’t harm you if you rescue me.” The snake hissed in agreement, adding to his confidence.

Taking a deep breath, Aditya threw a long rope into the well. The tiger climbed out first. “Thank you for helping me, friend. If you ever find yourself in this forest again, come visit my home. I promise to repay you for your kindness,” the tiger said.

Next, the snake slithered out. “You are a brave young man. Whenever you need help, just call my name, and I will come,” the snake promised.

Finally, it was the human’s turn. “Thank you, kind sir! I work as a goldsmith in the capital city. I promise to be your friend forever. Please visit me if you ever come to the city,” he said gratefully.

Happy to have made new friends, Aditya continued on his journey. A few years later, while passing through the same forest, he remembered the tiger’s promise and decided to visit the cave where the tiger lived.

The tiger greeted him warmly, offering fresh fruits and water. Just as Aditya was about to leave, the tiger presented him with gold ornaments adorned with precious gems. “Here’s a small gift, my friend. I hope you like it.”

Aditya was grateful but unsure what to do with the ornaments. Then he remembered his friend, the goldsmith. The goldsmith could melt the ornaments down and give him gold coins.

When Aditya visited the goldsmith, he was welcomed with cool lemonade and eager questions about his journey. Aditya recounted his visit to the tiger and the gifts he received, asking the goldsmith to help him melt the ornaments.

The goldsmith’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the ornaments. He had crafted them for the king’s younger brother, who had gone missing in the forest months ago. The king had offered a reward for any information about the prince.

However, the goldsmith hid his surprise and thought, “If I tell the king that this young man has killed the prince, I will surely receive the reward.”

Feigning concern, the goldsmith asked Aditya to rest while he took the ornaments to the palace. There, he reported that he had found the man responsible for the prince's death.

Aditya, unaware of the goldsmith's deceit, waited anxiously. Soon, guards arrived to take him to the king, who demanded an explanation. Aditya pleaded his innocence, explaining how he had rescued the tiger, the snake, and the goldsmith.

Just then, the tiger appeared, having heard of his friend’s predicament. “I owe my life to this young man!” the tiger roared. “He saved me from the well, and I promised him my friendship.”

The snake also slithered in, confirming Aditya’s story. “He is a good man who helped us all,” the snake said.

The king, realizing the truth, was grateful to Aditya for rescuing the tiger and the snake. He decided to reward him instead. Aditya left the palace with gold coins and the assurance of true friends by his side. From that day on, the three promises made by the tiger, snake, and goldsmith were a testament to the bonds of friendship and loyalty.