The Unholy Sack

Once upon a time there lived
a merchant who was always in
need of money. His family was
large and his income very small.
Therefore he had to struggle
hard to make both ends meet.
He would go to the next town,
buy some goods and sell them
in the next place for a profit.
But he had to pass the customs
barrier and pay duty on all the
articles he sold. This he did not
like and in order to avoid the
customs post, he would make a
detour which led him through
a dense forest said to be haun-
ted by fierce ghosts.

One day as he was passing
through the forest in- his cart
he was accosted by a fierce
looking ghost.

"Ah! A man of flesh and
blood, eh! I shall gobble you



up now," roared the ghost.

The frightened merchant
gathered his wits together and
boldly replied, "Oh! It's you,
is it! I was afraid it was one of
those customs chaps."

'Oh!" said the surprised ghost.
"Who is this customs chap of
whom you are more afraid
than of me? Is he more power-
ful?"

The merchant replied, "Of
course, he is. A thousand times
more powerful than you. Never
go near him. You will be re-
warded with blows and kicks.
But, of course, he doesn't gobble
people all at the same time.
A little at a time, he swallows,
but it is very painful."

The ghost scratched its head
and said. "Then I must meet
this fellow right now."



The merchant replied, "But
he lives in the town. Anyway,
sit inside this bag. I'll tie the
mouth securely. But remember,
not a peep out of you. What-
ever he does, keep absolutely
quiet. After you've seen and
felt him, I'll help you to escape."
' The ghost agreed and got
into the bag. The merchant
tied the sack securely and lifted
it on to his cart. Then he came
to the city gates where he was
stopped by the guards rrfanning
the customs post.

"Hay there! Stop, what have
you got in that sack?"

The merchant replied obe-
diently,, "Sir, this sack con-
tains nothing but dried tama-
rind."

"Let's see,* said the customs
man. The sack was lifted off the
cart and laid on the ground.
The guard poked it with his
stick and prodded it on all sides.
Each time he did so, the ghost



winced with pain, but was too
afraid to cry out.

Then the merchant was asked
to pay a duty of one rupee and
was allowed to go. He slowly
drove out of the city and came
to the forest, where he stopped
the cart. The sack was opened
and a much bruised ghost step-
ped out gingerly.

"You are right man! That
guard is certainly very powerful.
I am glad that you gave him a
rupee and helped me to escape.
In return, I'll do something for
you. Dig under this tree and
you'll uncover a lot of wealth.
Take it and be happy. But
don't ever go near a customs
man."

Then the ghost leaped nimbly
on a tree and was lost to sight.
The merchant dug at the spot
indicated and uncovered a pot
of gold coins. Taking the trea-
sure home, he lived happily
ever afterwards.