The Loyal Brother: Of Familial Love

Long ago, there lived two Sangtam brothers in a small village. The younger brother was wealthy, while the elder brother had no wealth. The younger brother spent his days enjoying himself with his friends, while the elder brother remained alone. Despite being blood relatives, the younger brother paid little attention to his elder brother and lived a lavish life filled with drinking, eating, and enjoyment.

Sometimes, the younger brother's friends would ask him to invite his elder brother and spend time with him as well. However, despite their suggestions, the younger brother ignored them.

One day, the younger brother decided to find out who would truly help him in times of need. He made a plan and pretended to be dead. To make the scene look realistic, he rubbed crushed soybeans on his body, placed a spear near his ribs to make it appear that someone had killed him, and covered himself with branches.

After some time, villagers discovered what appeared to be the younger brother's dead body and informed his friends. To everyone's surprise, all of his friends refused to go and see him.

The villagers then informed the elder brother. Without hesitation, he immediately went to the spot where his younger brother lay. He broke a branch from a tree and used it to chase away the flies. As he was about to lift his younger brother's body, he said sorrowfully, "My dear younger brother, what unfortunate thing happened to you that made you die here?"

When the younger brother heard those words, he immediately stood up, embraced his brother, and revealed that he had wanted to know who truly loved and cared for him—his friends or his brother.

The two brothers wept with joy. When they returned to the village, the younger brother slaughtered a pig and held a feast in honour of his elder brother. From that day onward, they lived happily together.

Moral of the Story: "You may have many friends, but in times of true need, it is our loved ones who stand by us and take care of us."

Khatiba Sangtam