The Stranger’s Proposal:

Vipul and Chandrakant were close friends despite their vastly different backgrounds. Vipul was wealthy, while Chandrakant was poor. Yet, their bond was unshakable, and they shared everything openly.

One day, as they were chatting, a stranger approached them. "I am a traveler," he said. "I urgently need money. Would you be willing to buy this ring from me?"

Vipul examined the ring. Its sparkling diamonds were mesmerizing. Intrigued, he decided to buy it and negotiated the price. Once they settled, Vipul asked, "How did you come by this ring?"

The traveler hesitated. "I cannot reveal that. If you want to buy it, take it. Otherwise, I'll sell it to someone else."

Reluctant to let go of the ring, Vipul agreed and invited the traveler to his house to complete the deal. "It’s dangerous to leave with such a large sum of money at night," Vipul said. "Why don’t you stay the night here and leave in the morning?"

Chandrakant supported this idea. "My friend is right. Rest here tonight. It’s safer."

The traveler agreed. Chandrakant bid farewell and left for his home. Later, Vipul shared a meal with the traveler and offered him a lot of alcohol. Intoxicated, the traveler began to ramble, inadvertently revealing how he had obtained the ring.

The Sorcerer’s Secret:

He recounted that in a forest not far from their town, a magician performed rituals every new moon. After the rituals, the magician gained the power to grant three wishes to others. The traveler, once a loyal servant to the magician, had earned his favor. When the magician offered him three wishes, the traveler hastily asked for a valuable diamond ring as one of them, unsure of what else to request. That ring was now in Vipul’s possession.

The next morning, the traveler left, and Vipul shared the astonishing tale with Chandrakant. "On the upcoming new moon night, we must go to the forest and meet this magician," Vipul declared. "I’ll serve him loyally and ask for three wishes. I’ve already planned my wishes. With them, I’ll become even richer!"

Chandrakant was uneasy. "You already have so much wealth. Why desire more? Such magical gains don’t last and often come with dangers. Let it go."

But Vipul was adamant. "No, I must go. And you must come with me!"

"Why should I come? It’s your wish, not mine," Chandrakant argued.

"You’re my best friend," Vipul insisted. "Your presence will give me courage and support."

Reluctantly, Chandrakant agreed, reasoning that he could help Vipul if anything went wrong.

On the new moon night, they ventured into the forest and found the magician. Bowing respectfully, Vipul said, "You are powerful. Tonight, after your ritual, you will gain the ability to grant three wishes. I wish to serve you and earn those wishes."

The magician chuckled. "So, the man who asked for a diamond ring has spilled my secret, has he? Very well. Everything will proceed as it should."

The magician began his ritual, and Vipul assisted diligently. When the ritual ended, the magician handed Vipul a pinch of sacred ash.
"You have three seconds to make your three wishes," he said.

The Three Wishes:

Vipul eagerly made his wishes: "First, I wish to become a king. Second, I wish to never fall sick. Third, I wish to remain young and die in this very state."

"Granted," the magician said. "Your wishes will come true. You may leave."

Thrilled, Vipul turned to Chandrakant and exclaimed, "I did it! I got my three wishes."

"What are they?" Chandrakant asked.

"First, I’ll become a king," Vipul said proudly. "Second, I’ll never be afflicted by any illness. And third, I’ll never grow old and will die as I am now."

The Tragic End:

No sooner had he uttered the last wish than Vipul suddenly collapsed onto Chandrakant’s shoulder, lifeless.
Chandrakant was heartbroken. Vipul had died in the very state he had wished for, proving the peril of greed and the unintended consequences of magical desires. With tears in his eyes, Chandrakant mourned his dear friend, who had paid the ultimate price for his insatiable ambition.

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