Grandma's Stories--686---The Speaking Tree !!

Long Long ago there were two friends.Though They had opposite nature yet they were fast friends,One was Dharm Buddhi and another was Paap Buddhi.They were living in a small village.They did not have any agriculture land and there was no other scope of earning money there so they decided to go to the Town to earn money.They found two ways at the entrance of the town,they decided do go through different ways and meet there after one year.They went to different places,got different jobs.After one year again they met at the same place.Both have decided to go back to their village because they have earned enough money,so they started their journey.When they reached out skirts,Paap Buddhi said”We must not take the whole money at home,we must hide some under the ground near a tree and we will come together to take it out when ever we need it,Dharm buddhi agreed,they took out some money ,dig a pit,put their remaining money tied in two pieces of clothes.They went back their homes.Just after one hour Paap Buddhi again came there,took out the whole money and went back home.After twenty days Dharm Buddhi was in need of money,so he went to Paap Buddhi and asked him to come with him,Paap Buddhi said”I am also in need of money,let’s go and bring back our remaining money,they reached at the same place dug the place,but did not find any money,Dharm Buddhi was shocked but Paap buddhi started shouting”You have stolen my money,You have cheated me”Both of them went to the Sarpanch{Village Head Officer}and asked him to do the Justice.The Sarpanch asked”Where have you hidden the money?Both of them said”They have hidden it under the very old Peepal tree,which has a hollow in it’s Stem,The Sarpanch exclaimed “Oh ! O”Yes I know that tree,it is a speaking tree,so it will be the witness,We all are going there tomorrow morning to ask that tree.”Every body went home,Paap Buddhi was disturbed hearing about the speaking tree,But an Idea clicked in his mind,next early morning he asked his father to go and hide himself in the hollow of the tree,and when the questions will be asked to the tree he should reply before the tree.All people reached on time,The Sarpanch asked “Who stole the money?”Paap Buddhi’s father said”Dharnbuddhi stole the money”The Sarpanch smiled and asked all people to collect some sticks around the tree,and burn them.when the flames went high,Paap Buddhi’s father got afraid,he jumped out shouting,”PaapBuddhi stole the money”Paap Buddhi was ashamed,He had to return back Dharm Buddhi’s money with the penalty.