Once there was a grass cutter named Wali Dad. He was a simple man who lived a simple life. Every day he cut grass and sold it, and he earned just six pennies a day. He needed five pennies for his food, and each day he put one penny in a big jar. He was happy with his life and wanted for nothing.
But one day, He realised the big jar couldn’t hold a single penny more.
“What does someone like me need with all this money?” he asked himself. But then he had an idea. The next day he went to the market and with the money he bought a fine golden bracelet. Then he went to his friend who was a travelling merchant.
“Who is the most virtuous person you know?” Wali Dad asked.
“I suppose it must be the Princess of Nekabad”, the merchant replied
“Well then, please take this bracelet to her, as a present.”
So the merchant did as he was asked. “A gift from my friend Wali Dad”, he announced.
“How beautiful” replied the Princess. “I must send him a gift in return, or he shall think me rude.”
Wali Dad was astonished to receive this. “I didn't want anything back!” he said. “I am quite happy with what I have got. What should I do with such a fine object?”
And then he had another idea. “Who is the most noble man that you know?” he asked his friend.
“Well I suppose it must be the Prince of Khaistan” replied the merchant.
“Then please take this to him as a gift.”
And this the merchant did. The prince was just as surprised as the princess had been to receive a gift from someone he had never heard of.
“I don't know who this Wali Dad person is” he said. “But I do not want him to think that I am rude. I must send him a fine gift in return”. And so he sent the merchant back with an even finer gift – three splendid camels!
Well, of course Wali Dad did not want the camels. He just wanted to cut grass and live his simple life. So not knowing what else to do, he sent the camels to the Princess of Nekabad, and of course she had to send something even finer back, so she sent 10 horses, which poor Wali Dad was most embarrassed by and sent them straight to the Prince of Khaistan, who didn't want to seem rude so sent back a gift of fifty golden cups, which made Wali Dad very upset so he sent them straight on to the Princess of Nekabad… and on and on and on it went.
Eventually, the princess of Nekabad said:
“Wait! Why is it that this Wali Dad is sending me such magnificent gifts? Perhaps he wishes to marry me. And maybe he is handsome as well as generous. I think I should meet him. O kind merchant, please travel back to the home of Wali Dad, and tell him that I am on my way to visit him.”
And so Wali Dad received the news that he was to have a grand princess, call on him at his little hut.
“She thinks I am some grand important man!” he cried. “She thinks that I want to marry her!! What will she say when she sees I am just a poor grass cutter?! Why, I do not even have a fine shirt to wear! What a fool I have been! Why ever did I start any of this??”
And he was so upset that he ran away to the forest to hide. But as he entered the forest, a magical spirit appeared before him.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, kind and generous Wali Dad” said the spirit. Wali Dad looked down and saw that his clothes were changed into the fine clothes of a rich man. “Now go home. You will see that all shall be well.”
When he went back to his home, it was no longer a simple hut. It was a huge palace with guards and servants. He could hardly believe his eyes, but before he had time to wonder what was happening, the princess arrived at his gate. And at the same moment coming along the road from the other direction, was another visitor. It was the Prince of Khaistan, who had decided that he really must meet this wonderful Wali Dad.
Wali Dad, with his usual simplicity, said “my dear the princess of Nekabad, please allow me to introduce to you the Prince of Khaistan”. And the two of them fell instantly in love with each other and soon left to make plans for a grand wedding.
Wali Dad went back to the forest, hoping he would meet the spirits once more. And, sure enough, they appeared before him.
“I have come to thank you” he said. “And also to ask you – please could I have my hut back, and be just a simple grass cutter once again?”
The magical spirit smiled, and worked its magic. And when Wali Dad went back home, everything was just as it always had been, which for Wali Dad was the biggest treasure he could ever have.
Video summary
A beautifully animated tale from Pakistan about a grass cutter, who is both happy and generous with the little that he owns.
Wali Dad receives numerous gifts from a Princess and Prince but passes them on between them. Wali Dad has no need for these elaborate presents and is content with living moderately.
This story invites children to acknowledge that happiness is not dependent on being materially rich.
Teacher Notes
This short film could be used to support the teaching of key literacy skills such as reading, writing and listening. Encourage pupils to explore the decisions of characters, and examine their actions to understand their cultural belief, values, differences and similarities in everyday life.
It provides an effective tool to engage pupils in the way others see and imagine life, and help enhance further discussions on what is familiar and unfamiliar.
This could be used in connection with stories from other cultures, as well as traditional stories and fables to explore the differences or similarities in storytelling. The tale could be incorporated into specific reading and writing exercises (e.g. children can write about a specific dramatic scene or a descriptive setting in the film). This tale can enhance pupils knowledge and understanding of Pakistan.
This short film will be relevant for teaching English at KS1 and KS2 in England and Wales.
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