True Friendship

Once there lived two friends named Sohan and Suresh in a town named Jalgaon.

Vijay Singh was the king of that town. He was a cruel king. He would put to death people on the slightest of pretext without any rhyme or reasons. Unluckily, Suresh happened to utter some words not with proper respect to the king. For this king Vijay Singh said, "Suresh must die."

Suresh accepted his fate but asked the king for leave of absence for a short time to go home and say goodbye to his wife and children. He told him that he would surely come back. But the king did not listen. He said, "You will not return if you go. I don't trust you."

Sohan came forward and said, "If Suresh does not return, I am prepared to die instead of my friend. The king was surprised at this strange offer. He permitted Suresh to leave Sohan in his place. The king further warned that Sohan would die in his place if he did not return within six hours.

Suresh set out on his journey to home. He reached home quickly and bade goodbye to his wife and children. Then he headed for his return journey to embrace death.

Meanwhile, almost six hours had passed but Suresh had not returned. The king's men said to Sohan, "We are waiting for Suresh, but he has not come back yet."

They asked Sohan if he was ready. Sohan replied, "Never mind if my friend does not come, I shall die in place of him."

So, they took Sohan out of prison and led him to a place outside the city. A big crowd was waiting there. Vijay Singh himself was present at the place. He too asked Sohan if he was ready to die. Sohan replied boldly, "You may order your men to do what they should. I am quite ready."

As soon as six hours passed, Sohan was made to stand on a platform. The snare was put round his neck. As the hangman was about to pull the snare, there was a sudden cry, "I have come! I have come!"

Suresh came running as fast as his legs would carry him. On the other hand, Sohan cried loudly, "Friends, do your duty, hang me before my friend arrives."

Suresh pushed his way through the crowd to reach the platform and said, "Sohan, I am sorry, I am late. I could not come earlier. Thank God, I have reached in time."

Vijay Singh had never seen such a wonderful friendship. Two friends were bent upon sacrificing themselves to save the other. He felt his heart throbbing. He came forward and ordered to set both of them free.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

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