This legend is about the greatest Indian poet, Kaviratna, Kalidasa.
Kalidasa is proceeding on a long journey in the hot sun and is very thirsty. He sees a woman drawing water from a well. He goes to her and requests that she give him water to drink. He is surprised when the woman says in return that she doesn't know him. "Please introduce yourself and only then can I give you water."
Kalidasa, the poet laureate, replies,
" I am a traveller. (ಪ್ರವಾಸಿ)."
The woman replies, "Sir, there are only two travellers on earth. The sun and the moon. They travel forever, regardless of anything."
Kalidasa says, "Then I am a guest. (ಅತಿಥಿ)".
She replies, "Sir, there are only two guests in this world. Youth and wealth. They come without announcement and go away the same way."
Kalidasa says, a bit peeved, "Then I am Forbearance. (ಸಹನಶೀಲತೆ)."
The woman is undeterred. She says, "Sir, there are only two embodiments of forbearance.bMother earth and the tree. We trample on earth and cut down trees. They bear it without complaint."
Kalidasa says, "Know me to be stubborn. (ಹಠವಾದಿ)"
The woman smiles and says, "Sir, the only two things that never listen to anyone and carry on are: one's hair and one's nails. They grow stubbornly."
Kalidasa has come to the end of his wits. He says, "Then take me for a fool! (ಮೂರ್ಖ)."
The woman says," Sir, surely you should know that there are only two real fools on earth. The incompetent king who doesn't know he is a fool. And his minister who goes on praising him, even when the king is a fool. "
Kalidasa says, in desperation, "At least, can I say I am a human? (ಮನುಷ್ಯ)"
The woman gives him water to drink. And reveals herself to be Goddess Saraswati. She says, "The greatest recognition for anyone is to be truly human."
Bring up your kids rolling in wealth. They will become perhaps rich. But bring them up in tough circumstances, make them human.
