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Compiled by London swaminathan

Date : 7 September  2015

Post No. 2134

Time uploaded in London: – 18-27

This is a folk tale based on Tamil words with two meanings (pun).

A silly illiterate villager was in the habit of beating his wife every day. She reflected, “I must bring good sense to this foolish man. He beats me without any rhyme or reason. I have committed nothing wrong.”

One day she boldly asked him why he was beating her even when she did not commit any mistake. He told her that she did not do what  she was told to do. That was the reason for him beating her. Then she told him that I would do whatever you say. But you should never beat me. Give me a promise”. He immediately made an oath that he would behave and never revile her.

Adi! Come here and look what I have brought for you. She came running with a big stick and beat him. He asked, “Why did you beat me?”

You said “Adi! “ ( Adi! Is used to address wives or any younger ladies who are close relatives or friends in Tamil. It has another meaning “Beat”). Then he realised that he should not have said that.

Another day he sat to eat and she started serving him food. She deliberately put some husk on her head while serving. When he saw husk on his wife’s head, he said “ Adi, Umi ! on  head!”

She took the opportunity to beat him and spit on his head. Adi ! means beat and Umi means ‘spit’ as well as ‘husk’!

This time also he had to bear with his wife’s behaviour because she did what he said to her. Another day he was very happy because he got lot of money and told his wife “Put this money in the house”. Put in Tamil is “Vai” which has another meaning “scold”. She started shouting at the money, “O Money of a Foolish man! Money of an Idiot! Money of a stupid man!”

He was wondering what happened to her. He asked her, “Are you mad? Why are you reviling like this?”

You said “Vai” this money in the house.

Afterwards, considering and understanding all these things he felt ashamed. He became a good man and never beat his wife. She also stopped criticising him.

Indian villagers use lot of riddles, puns, puzzles in their stories. Though they were illiterates they never lacked in common sense and great wisdom.