Folktales of India - Tales from Rajasthan - The Wishing Tree

Summary

In a Rajasthani folktale, a weary traveler, parched and famished, stumbles upon a magical tree in the desert that grants his wishes. As he indulges in food, rest, and even a massage, he wonders if a demon lurks nearby. Upon waking, he questions if it was all a dream or divine intervention, leaving him with a cautionary lesson: be mindful of your wishes.

Takeaways

• 🌵 A traveler was passing through a desert, feeling tired, hungry, and thirsty after walking for miles.
• 🌳 The traveler wished for rest under a tree, and a tree appeared as if by magic.
• 💧 The traveler then wished for water to drink, which immediately appeared.
• 🍽️ Next, he wished for food, and food was provided as well.
• 🛏️ After eating, the traveler wished for a bed, and it materialized.
• 👣 The traveler also wished for someone to massage his feet, and this wish was granted too.
• 🌲 The traveler was under the shade of a magical tree (the Kalpavriksha), which grants any wish.
• 😴 After a long nap, the traveler woke up and suspected he was in a magical part of the desert.
• 👹 The traveler wondered if there was a demon nearby, and soon after, the demon appeared and threatened him.
• 💡 The story concludes with the lesson: be careful what you wish for, as wishes can have unexpected consequences.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the folktale?

The main setting of the folktale is a desert in Rajasthan, India.

Why was the traveler feeling tired, hungry, and thirsty?

The traveler was feeling tired, hungry, and thirsty because he had been walking for a few miles in the desert.

What did the traveler wish for when he was tired?

The traveler wished for a tree to rest under when he felt tired.

What kind of tree did the traveler find?

The traveler found a magical tree called 'cap love lick sha' that could grant wishes.

What were the various wishes the traveler made under the tree?

The traveler wished for water to drink, food to eat, a bed to rest on, and someone to massage his feet.

How did the traveler's wishes come true?

The traveler's wishes came true because he was under the shade of the magical tree that could grant wishes.

What did the traveler think about the magical part of the desert?

The traveler thought that the magical part of the desert might be a dream or a test from the almighty.

What was the traveler's reaction when he woke up from his nap?

The traveler was surprised and wondered if the magical experiences were real or just a dream.

What did the traveler decide about his thoughts in the desert?

The traveler decided that he must be careful with his thoughts in the desert, as they might come true.

What is the moral of the story?

The moral of the story is to always be careful of what you wish for, as your wishes might have unexpected consequences.