Gopal and the Hilsa Fish

• The Setting
  • Season of Hilsa Fish
  • Everyone talking only about Hilsa
  • Fishermen catching nothing else
  • Courtiers discussing Hilsa in the palace
• The King’s Challenge
  • King loses his temper due to Hilsa talk
  • Challenges Gopal (the clever courtier)
  • The Task: Buy a huge Hilsa and bring it to the palace
  • The Condition: No one should ask a single word about the fish
• Gopal’s Preparation
  • Half-shaven face
  • Smeared ash on his body
  • Wore disgraceful rags
  • Wife thought he had gone mad
• The Journey to the Palace
  • Gopal buys a giant Hilsa fish
  • Public Reaction:
    • Child: "Look at that comical man!"
    • Villagers: "He is a madman."
    • Others: "He is a mystic."
  • Result: Everyone noticed Gopal's appearance, ignored the fish
• At the Palace Gates
  • Guards stop the "crazy" man
  • Gopal starts dancing and singing loudly
  • King orders the man to be brought inside
• The Climax
  • King recognizes Gopal
  • King asks why he is dressed ridiculously
  • Gopal points out the distraction
  • Not a single person asked about the Hilsa fish
• Conclusion
  • Gopal wins the challenge
  • King congratulates him on the impossible feat
  • Theme: Wit and Intelligence can overcome any situation