Long ago, in a quiet village near the river, there lived a merchant and his wife, Rupvati. While the merchant was wealthy and respected, Rupvati was often ridiculed by the village women because she had no hair. Despite her baldness, Rupvati was a kind and gentle soul, loved by her husband for her inner beauty and good nature.

One day, the merchant announced that he would be traveling to a distant land for trade and would return after many months. Before leaving, he asked Rupvati if she wanted anything from the far-off lands. With a soft smile, she requested a wig of fine silk, so she could feel beautiful in his absence.

Months passed, and the merchant returned, bringing with him many treasures, including the beautiful wig his wife had asked for. Rupvati was overjoyed and wore the wig proudly, her newfound beauty making her the envy of the entire village. The once-mocking villagers now praised her elegance, and Rupvati’s confidence grew.

However, Rupvati became prideful. She began to believe that her beauty surpassed that of all the other women in the village. She stopped visiting the temple, no longer participated in the village rituals, and even looked down on the friends who had once supported her. Her arrogance only grew with time, and she forgot the humility and kindness that had once made her beloved.

One evening, while Rupvati was combing her luxurious wig, she heard a knock at the door. A strange old woman stood outside, her eyes gleaming with wisdom. The woman asked for a place to rest for the night, but Rupvati, disgusted by the woman’s shabby appearance, refused and turned her away.

The old woman smiled knowingly and warned, “Beware, pride comes before the fall.”

That night, as Rupvati slept, a fierce storm struck the village. Lightning flashed and thunder roared, shaking the walls of their home. The next morning, Rupvati woke to find the storm had blown away her precious wig. Devastated, she searched high and low but could not find it.

Ashamed of her baldness, Rupvati retreated into her home, refusing to leave or face the villagers. Her once-elevated status crumbled, and the people of the village began to talk of her downfall. Over time, Rupvati came to understand the value of humility and the fleeting nature of physical beauty. She learned that true grace lay not in outward appearance but in kindness and generosity of spirit.

The story of Rupvati’s rise and fall was told throughout the village for generations, reminding people of the dangers of vanity and the importance of remaining humble, no matter their fortune.

A folkstory from West Bengal sourced from the book ‘Folk-Tales of Bengal’ compiled by Lal Behari Day

Story edited by: Archie Joshi

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