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APRIL, 1985
friends, relatives and well-wishers. In the same grand manner food was prepared.
First Ujjhika was called and Dhanya asked her for the grains of rice. She took out five grains of rice from the godown and gave them to her father-in-law.
Dhanya asked,
"Are these the same grains that I gave you?"
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Ujjhika replied,
"No father, I threw them away on that very day."
Dhanya was furious.
"You are fit only to perform menial tasks."
He assigned her the work of cleaning and washing.
Next Bhogavati was called. Dhanya asked,
"Where are the grains of rice ?"
Bhogavati replied,
"I peeled them and ate them up."
Dhanya was annoyed. He entrusted her with the work of the kitchen.
Raksika came next. Dhanya asked her to bring the grains of rice.
She went back to her room and took out the grains of rice from the casket. She gave them to her father-in-law who asked her,
"Are these the same grains I gave you ?"
"Yes, father," replied Raksika, "I stored them in my casket and looked after them day and night."
Dhanya was pleased. He said,
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