Two friends named Dhanpal and Sukhpal lived in a village called Dharampur. Both worked hard in the village to fulfil their everyday needs.

One day, Sukhpal was not able to find any work. “How will I feed my children if I don’t find work?” With this thought in mind, he became worried. He then went to the merchants of the village and urged many of them, “Sir! Please give me some work to do otherwise my children will starve.” However, they refused to listen to him and asked him to leave.

Sukhpal returned home after sunset. As soon as he entered, his children hugged him while yelling, “Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!” They started looking for food in his pocket but were not able to find anything. They became silent after seeing the sad look on their father’s face. Sukhpal’s wife understood the sadness and sent the children to bed.

Sukhpal was not able to sleep that night. Sitting in a corner, tears filled his eyes as he began to think, “The children are sleeping right now, but what about tomorrow?” Suddenly, he got up and said to his wife, “I’m going to the forest this instant to fetch wood so I can sell it in the morning. With this money, I will feed the children.” His wife replied, “It is late at night so it would be best if you don’t go. God will take care of everything.” Hearing this, Sukhpal said, “Laziness will not accomplish anything. Only if I put in effort and do hard work will God help us.” He took an axe on his shoulder and left for the forest.

Sukhpal easily reached the forest in the light of the full moon. He climbed onto a tree and as he raised his axe, a voice said, “Caution! It is a sin to cut trees at night.”

Sukhpal looked around but did not see anyone. Yet, he did not lose his courage and asked back, “Who are you? Why are you not letting me cut the wood?”

There was no reply, but a big cloud of smoke appeared. Someone looking like a deva came into sight and said, “I am the Vandevta (deity of the forest). Only after answering my questions will I let you cut the wood.” Folding his hands, Sukhpal said, “How can a simple man like me give answers to your questions? Regardless, I will try my best to answer based on my knowledge.”

The Vandevta said, “Alright then! Tell me, who is always happy?” After thinking a while, Sukhpal replied, “One who is not in debt. He who works hard to make a living and offers devotion to God is always happy.”

Hearing Sukhpal’s answer, the Vandevta was extremely pleased and gave him a magical pot. The Vandevta explained, “The pot will give all the food you want. But, you can only use this magical pot on days you do not find any work.”

Sukhpal was very happy because he had been rewarded for his honest efforts. He returned home with the pot. He woke up his wife and children and they all happily ate whatever they desired.

The next day, Sukhpal’s greedy friend Dhanpal came to his house. Hearing about Sukhpal’s fortune, Dhanpal became very joyous. He greedily began to think, “If I had this pot, then I would become extremely rich.” He went back to his house and informed his wife about it. They both were overjoyed at the thought of getting such a pot for themselves and looked forward to nightfall.

When it was dark, the greedy Dhanpal took his axe and left for the forest. As he climbed upon a young tree and raised his axe, he heard a voice that said, “Hey you! To cut a young tree is like committing a sin.  Why are you cutting it?” Dhanpal replied, “Vandevta, give me the magical pot or else I will cut down not only this tree, but the entire forest.” When there was no response to his threat, Dhanpal started to scream. Even then, there was no reply so he became extremely angry. So, he began to chop the tree with his axe.  In that same instant, he was thrown into the sky along with his axe and was trapped there.

He tried very hard to come down but could not. He regretted his actions, but now what could he do? Back at his home, Dhanpal’s wife began to worry since he had not returned. So she took Sukhpal and started looking for Dhanpal.

When they found him stuck in the sky above the tree he had tried to chop, Sukhpal prayed to Vandevta. Vandevta declared, “He deserves to be punished.”  However, Sukhpal continued to pray for his friend's release. Seeing Sukhpal’s polite, compassionate, and sincere nature, Vandevta released Dhanpal.

However, Dhanpal’s greediness had not diminished. He now wanted that magical pot more than ever. Finally, not caring about anything else, he went to Sukhpal’s house one night to steal it. Quietly, he entered the house and stole the pot.

Dhanpal happily returned home. Right away, he thought about his favorite item and put his hand into the pot. Surprisingly, his hand started to melt! In fact, as his hand melted, his arm was pulled into the pot too. In just a few minutes, his entire arm melted away and his shoulder was now attached to the pot.  He got really scared and started screaming out loud.  Again, his wife and Sukhpal ran to help him. Sukhpal could not bear to see his friend in such a horrible condition so he started praying for him. After a while, Dhanpal’s hand came back out of the pot exactly the way it had gone in.

Dhanpal fell to Sukhpal’s feet and pledged to stop being greedy. From that day on, Dhanpal worked honestly and received payment for his efforts, and was never greedy again.