Page 28 - Spider Magazine for Kids (January 2020)

The

Golden Rat

LONG AGO, A young man named Jaidutt lived in the

ancient city of Ujjain in India. His mother and grandmother

had brought him up because his father had wasted his

inheritance and abandoned the family.

The two women managed as well as they could on the little

money they had. But by the time Jaidutt turned eighteen, they

had not one paisa left. “We have nothing now,” his grandmother

said, tears welling in her eyes. “We have even sold our last piece

of jewelry.”

But his mother said, “Don’t despair, Ma. Thankfully, our

Jaidutt is old enough to earn a living. I hear there is a generous

merchant named Somadev in the next town. He lends money

to hardworking young men. Why don’t you ask him to help

you, son?”

Jaidutt agreed and set off right away. After walking quite

a long way, he arrived at the neighboring town. Somadev was

well known here, and Jaidutt found him easily. The man

was strolling by the river with his daughter.

Jaidutt greeted them and said, “Kind sir, I am an unfortunate

boy whose father left him before his birth. My mother and

grandmother raised me, but now they need my support. My

mother heard of your generosity and suggested I come to you

for help. If you would lend me some money to start a business,

I promise to repay each and every paisa within two years.”

Here, Thistle, maybe You’re the best,
if you climb on my head Sammy!

you can see better.
by Deepa Agarwal

Art by Anne Rees
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