Stories of Jivavarta: The Envy

"Is that Limping Nibhrant? No, that can't be!"

Kuhana looked at the man standing in front of him. In the dim light of the lantern, he could see the face, and the wide smile. The resemblance was uncanny. But then, no one from the town of Dumadhya could even dream of the clothes and ornaments the man was wearing -- least of all the dirt poor Nibhrant he remembered from his childhood.

"Yes, I am Nibhrant," replied Nibhrant, with another wide smile. "But nobody calles me 'Limping Nibhrant' anymore. Alayas, the famous surgeon, has cured me of my limp."

"Good for you!" said Kuhana, welcoming Nibhrant into his house. "Come in now, my old friend."

"Meet my childhood friend," Kuhana told his children, as they greeted Nibhrant. "He used to stay in a small hut next to our farm, and his parents used to work for us."

But the children were not listening to Kuhana. They were busy staring at Nibhrant's clothing, their eyes wide with astonishment.

As Nibhrant entered the house, the whole place filled up with mild Yuthika fragrance. Kuhana loved the smell. He had for long dreamt of owning a bottle of Yuthika, but had never been able to save enough for even the smallest one. As Nibhrant looked around, Kuhana felt a sense of shame creeping in. He felt embarassed at the mediocrity of his house.

Kuhana was born in a well-off family, owning farmlands where Nibhrant's parents worked as labourers. In the town of Dumadhya, things always remained same -- the rich remained rich, and the poor remained poor. So, when Kuhana and Nibhrant grew up, Kuhana inherited his family business, and Nibhrant inherited his family's poverty. But soon after his parents' death, Nibhrant vanished from Dumadhya. Nobody knew what happened to him. Some said Nibhrant had killed himself, some said he had moved to some other town in search of work.

Sometimes, Kuhana wondered what must have happened to Nibhrant. Imagining the hardships Nibhrant must be facing, Kuhana felt pity towards him. But that pity was invariably followed by joy as Kuhana compared his own good fortune with Nibhrant's misfortune.

But today, Nibhrant had came to his house looking wealthy. Suddenly, Kuhana was suspicious.

"Nibhrant must have stolen his riches," he realized. "Yes, that is the only way that wretched Nibhrant can get those clothes, those ornaments, that Yuthika. He is a thief now. I need to keep an eye on him."

Once they were seated, Kuhana smiled courteously. "As you can see," he said, "I have a good family life, and a growing business -- even better than earlier."

"Yes, I am very happy to see that," said Nibhrant, with his wide smile.

Kuhana tried to find a hint of envy in Nibhrant's face, but there was none.

"So, where were you for so many years?" asked Kuhana. "I recall that you had left soon after your parents passed away, bless their souls. I tried so hard to trace you, but nobody knew where you were." 

Kuhana was lying, he had never made an effort to trace Nibhrant. But Nibhrant believed Kuhana, as he always had, and thanked him for his kindness.

"After I left Dumadhya, I traveled around the Adrika kingdom. I visited many places, and learned many things. I finally settled in Sonira. A few years back, I was appointed to the king's court -- and ever since, my fortunes changed. Now I have a beautiful wife, two children, and a large house. I can't ask for more."

Nibhrant looked at Kuhana, gave a warm smile, and continued.

"I was in town for some official work, and decided to see how you were doing."

"That is very good to know." said Kuhana, "I am very happy for you."

But Kuhana was not happy. His face was pale with disappointment. He felt sick. He resented that the poor, uncouth, limping Nibhrant had become more prosperous than him.

Nibhrant left the next morning, but the resentment lingered in Kuhana's mind.

"Do you think I should move to Sonira?" Kuhana asked his wife. "I am far more talented than Nibhrant. If he can get a job in the king's court, so can I. We can have a much better life there."

His wife was simple lady who was fully content with her life. The thought of moving away to a strange place unsettled her.

"Why you want to leave?" she protested. "We have a good life here. Also, I don't think your friend's life is as good as he told you. People lie to make others envious. Maybe you don't know the whole story."

Kuhana did not respond. But his resentment was growing. His family, which has been source of his happiness and pride for so many years, now suffocated him. He felt as if he has become a prisoner of his relationships. Kuhana craved to see the reality of Nibhrant's prosperity.

The opportunity arrived soon. A few weeks later, he got an invite from Nibhrant to join him in Sonira for the Lolupa-Krish festival. Kuhana accepted the invite immediately.

When he reached Sonira, Kuhana realized that Nibhrant had not lied to him -- his life was in fact as blissful as he had mentioned. Nibhrant lived in a large mansion with his happy family, and was well respected by the people of Sonira.

"Surely, he is hiding something," Kuhana assured himself. "Only pretenders have a perfectly happy life."

Unable to control his misery any longer, Kuhana finally decided to confront Nibhrant.

"As one friend to another," Kuhana asked Nibhrant, "are you really happy in
your life? You can tell me in confidence, maybe I can help."

Nibhrant laughed loudly.

"Why do you think so, my friend?" he responded. "I know that you are concerned about my well-being, but don't worry. As you can see, my life is blessed."

Kuhana nodded, but he felt like hurting Nibhrant so that he could wipe off that wide smile on Nibhrant's face -- even if just for a moment.

Later that evening, Kuhana accompanied Nibhrant to his friend's house for festivities. What he saw there surprised him.

Kuhana found that Nibhrant's other friends were much richer and socially more powerful than Nibhrant.

"Don't you feel envious of them?" Kuhana asked Nibhrant in an urgent whisper.

Nibhrant was confused. "Why should I feel that way?" he asked.

"Why not?" asked Kuhana. "They all look more prosperous than you."

"Indeed, all of them are much more prosperous and successful." said Nibranta. "My friends' success doesn't mean my failure. Why should I be envious of them? Their good fortune doesn't hinder my pursuit of success. We should focus on improving our own lives instead of comparing ourself with others."

Kuhana shrugged.

"If I were you, I would feel so inferior surrounded by such powerful and rich folks." said Kuhana. "Look around, see how sophisticated your friends are. We both look so ordinary, so insignificant in front of them! I think they invite you to these festivities out of pity."

Nibhrant was silent. He looked around, noticing for the first time the difference between him and his friends. His face drooped, and his familiar wide smile had completely disappeared. 

"I am not feeling so well," Nibhrant whispered. "Let us go home."

"Certainly." said Kuhana, with a consoling pat on Nibhrant's shoulders. He was hardly able to contain his delight.

That night, after so many weeks, Kuhana slept peacefully -- feeling good as he thought of Nibhrant's gloomy face.

Shon Mehta is an author and philosopher known for creating the Jivavarta Universe, a grounded sociopolitical world used to explore human resilience, social dynamics, and moral philosophy. Her novels and parables have transitioned from literary fiction into foundational academic material used in educational curricula across several countries. Through her analytical work, she examines the complex social structures and leadership archetypes that shape our reality.