Once upon a time in a small village in Odisha, there lived a poor man named Jata. Jata was known throughout the village not for his wealth, but for his boundless kindness and his ever-cheerful demeanour. He made a modest living as a woodcutter, yet despite his poverty, he was always ready to help anyone in need.
One sweltering day, Jata set out into the forest, his axe over his shoulder. He noticed an enormous banyan tree he had never seen before. The tree seemed to radiate a strange energy. As he approached, he heard a faint voice whimpering. His heart pounded as he realized that the voice was coming from the tree.
Despite his fear, Jata asked, “Who’s there? Do you need help?”
A weakened voice replied, “I am a spirit, trapped in this banyan tree for centuries. If you could free me, I will be forever indebted to you.”
Having a compassionate heart, Jata asked, “How can I set you free?”
The spirit instructed, “With three strikes of your axe to the trunk of this tree, but beware, you must be sure of your intention. A pure heart can free me.”
Driven by his desire to help, Jata followed the spirit’s instructions. He lifted his axe and struck the trunk thrice. The moment the third strike hit the tree, there was a bright light and a beautiful spirit emerged from it.
She was a celestial being, radiant and kind. Her name was Vrinda. “Dear Jata,” she began, her voice as soothing as a gentle brook, “you have freed me from my long-standing curse. In return, I will help you. You’ve been a kind-hearted soul in a cruel world. From now on, you’ll never face scarcity.”
Jata returned home, bewildered by the day’s events. The next morning, he woke up to a strange sight. The tiny patch of land he owned was teeming with ripe crops. His old hut was transformed into a robust house, and where once he had just a handful of coins, there was now a chest of gold.
News of Jata’s sudden prosperity spread across the village, then the district, and soon the entire state. Many were curious, some were jealous, but everyone was in awe of Jata’s good fortune.
Despite his newfound wealth, Jata remained as humble and generous as ever. He used his prosperity to help his fellow villagers, building schools, hospitals, and ensuring that no one in his village would go hungry.
The story of Jata and the spirit of the banyan tree, Vrinda, became a famous folktale in Odisha, a testament to the power of kindness and the magic that resides in a good heart. It served as a reminder that compassion could yield rewards far greater than mere material wealth, and that prosperity achieved through kindness could benefit an entire community.
