One fine morning, Mahadenamutta looked at his five obedient pupils and said, “I think I need some more pupils to learn at my feet. I am getting old day by day, and my knowledge will go to waste if I don’t teach it to a few more students.”
The five pupils never questioned their guru. They quickly got ready to walk with him and find new students.
Mahadenamutta led the group, carrying his walking stick. As usual, he wore his black coat, white cloth, and the semi-circular ‘nemi panava’ on his head. Behind him, Indikatu Pencha carried the precious ola-leaf book, Polbemuna carried the betel bag, and Puvak Badilla gazed at the few stars shining in the distant sky.
They walked through many remote villages from morning until dusk, but could not find a single new recruit. Exhausted, Mahadenamutta suggested they stay at an ambalama, a resting place for weary travelers. Luckily, they spotted one by the roadside and decided to spend the night there.
As hunger gnawed at them, Mahadenamutta began giving orders. “Kotukithaiya, go and bring some rice. Polbemuna, get vegetables and fish. Rabboda Aiya, fetch some bricks to prepare a hearth. Puvak Badilla, bring banana leaves for our meal. Indikatu Pencha, stay back and help with the cooking.”
But soon, one by one, his pupils returned empty-handed.
Kotukithaiya explained, “The shopkeeper wanted one cent more for a measure of rice, so I refused to buy it.”
Polbemuna shook his head. “Some vegetables are bad for phlegm, and some fish is not good for our health. I didn’t buy any.”
Rabboda Aiya looked worried. “I couldn’t find three bricks of the same size, so I left them.”
Even Puvak Badilla returned without banana leaves. “I tried to cut some from a nearby plantation, but a little house lizard said ‘chik… chik’ and I didn’t want to disturb it.”
Mahadenamutta sighed but could not help smiling. The five pupils, though obedient and loyal, had their own quirky ways of seeing the world. That night, they all went to bed without dinner, but the journey had already taught them lessons in patience, respect, and humor—hallmarks of a life lived under a wise guru’s guidance.
The story of Mahadenamutta reminds us of the charm in Sri Lankan folk tales, much like Andare, the Royal Comedian and Gamarala’s adventures. Each tale carries subtle wisdom, humor, and a peek into traditional village life. You can explore more stories from the same folk stories collection to see how villagers, clever children, and even animals teach us about patience and clever thinking.
For visitors to Sri Lanka, these tales add depth to understanding the culture. Learning about Mahadenamutta and his pupils gives a glimpse of daily village life, much like exploring the ancient fortress of Sigiriya, where history, strategy, and artistry meet.