Notes on the Story of Chodu and the Landlord

Introduction

• Setting: Small village called Nalim in the hill region of Shivapuram.
• Landlord's control over the area and relationship with villagers.
• Villagers provide a portion of their harvest to the landlord without compensation.

Landlord's Perception

• Landlord believes villagers honor him for his generosity.
• Clerk agrees and comments on how fortunate the landlord is.

Villager's Custom

• Villager Malaya brings a wild boar as a part of the tradition.
• Animal hunting and bringing meat to the landlord is an unbreakable rule.

Chodu's Situation

• Chodu: A poor villager living alone, raising chickens and ducks.
• On his turn to bring meat, he catches a wild goat but is reluctant to give it to the landlord.
• He decides to roast and eat the goat himself, thinking about changing the unfair custom.

The Revelation

• Chodu returns with the goat carcass after a clever story.
• He fabricates a tale about encountering a goddess, which impresses the landlord and clerk.
• As a result, villagers begin giving more offerings to the landlord due to the fear of the goddess.

Chodu's Rise in Respect

• Chodu gains respect among villagers and the landlord’s favor.
• The landlord seeks advice from Chodu on how to repay the goddess; Chodu suggests offering fine roosters.
• Chodu returns to the forest, eats the roosters, and conveys another message from the goddess.
• Landlord takes the advice to build a temple for the goddess, funded with his resources.

Drought and Food Distribution

• A drought strikes the region, leading to crop failures and food scarcity.
• The landlord locks the granaries for safety, advised by the clerk.
• Chodu comes to the landlord with another message from the goddess, urging food distribution to prevent starvation.

Conclusion

• The landlord reluctantly distributes grain, fearing the goddess's wrath.
• Villagers survive the drought, and the landlord maintains control through fear and tradition.
• Chodu’s cleverness brings about change and service to the village, while the landlord ultimately benefits.

Themes

• Tradition vs. Change: Chodu challenges unfair customs.
• Power: The landlord’s control and manipulation through fear of the goddess.
• Cleverness and Intelligence: Chodu uses wit to advocate for the villagers' needs while maintaining respect.