Stories From Jainism

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Kumarpal Desai

Page 11

ELACHIKUMAR
Elachikumar was the son of a rich Jain merchant. He was young and ambitious, but he lacked foresight.
Once an acrobat and his family came to the town. They performed amazing acts and tricks. The acrobat's daughter could do tight-rope walking. The father used to play a dholak-drum whilst the daughter did the tight-rope walking. This act was very popular and was the favourite of many people.
Elchikumar went to see the acrobats. He too was interested in tight-rope walking. The young daughter of the acrobat was very beautiful. Elachikumar liked her very much. He went to see her acrobatic acts again and again. He fell in love with her and blinded by her beauty.
Elachikumar went straight to her father and asked for her hand in marriage. The acrobat's father said, "Well, it is not easy. You will have to stay with us. You will have to be like us. You will have to learn our acts and tricks first; then I will think about your marriage with my daughter."
Elachikumar agreed to stay with them and learn all the acts.
Elachikumar thus left his home. His parents were very sad indeed, they urged him not to leave the house. Elachikumar, could not think about anything except that girl. He left home and joined the acrobats.
He began to learn all the acts and became an expert in a short time. He learned tight-rope walking whilst the girl played the drum. Elachikumar went from village to village and town to town showing off his skill as an acrobat.
The girl's father was quite happy about his act but he wanted more money too. So the father put forward one more condition to Elachikumar..... "You will have to please a king with your act in order to get a big prize from him. You will have to earn more money to support all of us. Once you do that, you will be able to marry my daughter."
Elachikumar was determined to do this. They went to a town whose king was interested in acrobatics. They invited the king to come and watch them perform.
The king came with the other prominent men of his court. The act began. Elachikumar climbed up the poles and started walking on the tight-rope. The girl played the dholak as usual.
d: jain story