The Boy Who Trusted a Stranger

Arjun and His Nature

Nearly fifteen hundred years ago, in the 5th century, there stood a small village near a river and open fields. The houses were made of mud and wood, and people lived a simple and peaceful life.

 

In this village lived a young boy named Arjun.

 

Arjun woke up every morning before sunrise. He helped his father fetch water from the well and assisted his mother in cleaning the courtyard. When elders passed by, Arjun folded his hands and greeted them with respect.

 

Everyone in the village liked Arjun because of his kind heart. If a farmer needed help carrying tools, Arjun would run to help. If a child fell down, Arjun would be the first to lift them up and comfort them.

 

Arjun spoke softly and politely to everyone. He never shouted or argued. People often said,

“Arjun is a good boy with a golden heart.”

 

But Arjun had one weakness.

 

He believed every word spoken to him. If someone smiled kindly, Arjun trusted them without doubt. He did not think deeply before believing others.

 

The elders worried and said to his parents,

“Arjun is kind, but he must learn to be careful. Not every smiling face carries good intentions.”

 

At that time, Arjun did not understand these words. He believed that all people were good, just like him.

 

Little did Arjun know that this weakness would soon test his courage and wisdom.

 

A Simple Task

One early morning, as the sun slowly rose over the fields, Arjun’s mother prepared the morning meal. The smell of warm food filled their small mud house.

 

After the meal, she took out a small cloth pouch and placed a few copper coins inside it. She handed the pouch to Arjun carefully.

 

“Arjun,” she said gently,

“Go to the town market and buy rice and oil. Walk on the main path and come back before the sun is high.”

 

She then looked into his eyes and added seriously,

“Remember one thing, my son. Do not talk to strangers. Not everyone you meet has a good heart.”

 

Arjun listened carefully and nodded.

“Yes, Amma,” he replied with a smile.

 

He tied the pouch securely around his waist, picked up his small cloth bag, and stepped out of the house. Birds were chirping, and villagers were beginning their daily work.

 

Arjun walked happily along the familiar path, thinking about the market — the sounds, the traders, and the colorful goods. He felt proud that his mother trusted him with such an important task.

 

With a light heart and steady steps, Arjun started his journey, unaware that this simple task would soon change him forever.

 

The Stranger Appears

Arjun walked steadily along the narrow mud path. Tall trees stood on both sides, and the sound of birds filled the morning air. He was almost halfway to the town market.

 

Suddenly, a man standing under a banyan tree called out to him.

 

The man was well dressed for those times. He wore clean clothes, had neatly tied hair, and carried a walking stick. His face looked calm, and his voice was gentle.

 

“Hello, my boy,” the man said kindly.

“You look tired. Where are you going so early?”

 

Arjun stopped and replied honestly,

“I am going to the town market.”

 

The stranger smiled and nodded as if he understood everything.

 

“Oh, the market!” he said.

“I am also going that way. I know a shorter path through the trees. You will reach faster and avoid the heat.”

 

Arjun paused for a moment.

 

His mother’s words echoed in his mind:

“Do not talk to strangers.”

 

But the man did not look dangerous. He spoke softly and smiled warmly. He even walked slowly, as if waiting for Arjun.

 

After a few seconds of thought, Arjun said,

“Alright.”

 

Trusting the stranger’s words, Arjun stepped away from the main road and followed him into the quieter path unaware that this decision would soon test his courage and wisdom.

 

The Trick

The path slowly became narrow and quiet. The tall trees blocked the sunlight, and the cheerful sounds of birds faded away. Arjun noticed that there were no people around.

 

His heart began to beat faster.

 

Suddenly, the stranger stopped walking. His friendly face changed, and his voice became cold and rough.

 

“Give me your money,” the man said angrily.

 

Arjun was shocked. His hands trembled as he stepped back.

“You said you were helping me,” Arjun said softly.

 

Before Arjun could say anything more, the stranger snatched the cloth pouch tied to his waist. The coins fell into the man’s hand with a sharp sound.

 

In a moment, the stranger ran deep into the forest, disappearing between the trees.

 

Arjun stood frozen. Tears filled his eyes, and he sat down on a stone and cried.

He felt scared, hurt, and foolish.

 

After some time, Arjun wiped his tears with his sleeve and took a deep breath.

 

“Crying won’t help,” he said to himself.

“I made a mistake, but I must be brave.”

 

He stood up, looked at the path carefully, and tried to remember everything like the man’s face, his clothes, and the direction he ran.

 

At that moment, Arjun decided that he would not give up so easily.

 

Arjun Thinks Smartly

Arjun stood quietly on the lonely path and forced himself to stay calm.

He closed his eyes for a moment and began to think carefully.

 

He remembered the stranger’s tall figure, his clean clothes, and the walking stick he carried. Arjun also recalled the man’s sharp eyes and the rough voice he used while stealing the money.

 

Most importantly, Arjun noticed the direction in which the stranger had run toward the river path near the old trees.

 

Holding these details firmly in his mind, Arjun walked back to the main road.

 

After some distance, he saw a village guard standing near a small watch post. The guard carried a wooden staff and watched travelers closely.

 

Arjun went up to him and spoke clearly, without fear.

 

“Sir,” Arjun said,

“A man tricked me and stole my money. He ran toward the river path.”

 

The guard listened carefully as Arjun described the man’s face, clothes, and voice. He nodded slowly.

 

“You are brave, my boy,” the guard said.

“Many would only cry, but you chose to think wisely. Your sharp memory will help us catch him.”

 

For the first time since the incident, Arjun felt a little hope in his heart.

 

Arjun Helps Catch the Stranger

The next morning, as the sun rose over the village, Arjun went to the town market with the village guard. The market was already busy. Traders were calling out, carts were moving, and people were buying grains, oil, and cloth.

 

Arjun walked slowly beside the guard, observing every face carefully. His heart beat fast, but he remained alert.

 

Suddenly, Arjun’s eyes widened.

 

He gently pulled the guard’s arm and whispered,

“That’s him. The same man, same clothes and the same voice.”

 

The stranger was standing near a shop, pretending to buy goods. He spoke to the trader in the same tone Arjun remembered.

 

The guard stepped forward calmly and questioned the man. The stranger tried to escape, but the guard held him firmly.

 

When the guard searched him, the cloth pouch with copper coins fell to the ground. Arjun recognized it immediately.

 

“That is my money,” Arjun said confidently.

 

The villagers gathered around. When they heard the truth, they praised Arjun.

 

“You are brave and intelligent,” they said.

“You did not lose hope or fear.”

 

The stranger was taken away, and Arjun felt proud — not because he caught the thief, but because he had learned to be careful and courageous.

 

A Lesson Learned

By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Arjun finally returned home. The soft chirping of evening birds and the cool breeze welcomed him back to the familiar mud-and-wood village.

 

As soon as he entered the courtyard, his mother ran to him, her eyes filled with worry and relief. She hugged him tightly, holding him close.

 

“Oh, Arjun! I was so worried,” she said softly.

“You faced danger and still came back safely. You are truly brave.”

 

Arjun smiled, feeling both tired and proud. He recounted the entire story — how the stranger tricked him, how he remembered every detail, and how he helped the guard catch the thief.

 

His mother listened carefully and nodded. She gently stroked his hair and said,

“Arjun, remember this always: Kindness is a strength, but carefulness is wisdom. Being kind is good, but you must also be wise and think before trusting anyone.”

 

Arjun thought about everything that had happened. He realized that being careful did not mean being unkind. It meant protecting oneself while staying good-hearted.

 

“I understand, Amma,” Arjun said, his eyes shining.

“I will always be kind and helpful, but I will also think carefully before trusting anyone.”

 

That evening, the village seemed even more peaceful. Arjun sat outside his house, watching the stars appear one by one. He felt that he had learned a lesson that would stay with him forever.

 

And from that day on, Arjun became not only a kind boy but also a wise and brave young soul, ready to face the world with both heart and mind.

 

Moral Of The Story

·      Be Kind, But Be Careful: It is good to be helpful and polite, but always think before trusting someone you don’t know.

·      Courage Helps Overcome Fear: Even in scary situations, staying calm and brave can help you solve problems.

·      Smart Thinking Can Save You: Observing details and remembering important information can protect you from danger.

·      Mistakes Can Teach Valuable Lessons: Arjun made a mistake by trusting a stranger, but he learned to be wiser for the future.

·      Perseverance Matters: Not giving up, even after a setback, can lead to success and safety.

·      Wisdom and Kindness Can Go Together: Being kind does not mean being careless, a wise heart is both gentle and alert.