# IV explained — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit

> Chapter companion for Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra.

## What happens

The fairies laugh at Subha Datta's astonishment, then reveal their magic pitcher which provides any food desired. Subha Datta, tired and hungry, is amazed and uses the pitcher to get his own meal, but becomes discontented when the fairies order exotic foods he has never seen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Magic and the Supernatural

The fairies' magic pitcher is introduced as a supernatural object that grants wishes for food.

### Temptation and Selfishness

Subha Datta's desire for the pitcher's bounty and his discontent with his own choices reflect temptation and selfish longing.

## Character check-ins

### Subha Datta

The woodcutter who is tired, hungry, and astonished by the fairies' laughter and the magic pitcher.

### Fairies

The laughing fairies who reveal the magic pitcher and order exotic foods.

## Key lines

> We don’t have to bother about fetching this and fetching that. You see that big pitcher. Well, we get all our food and everything else we want out of it. We just have to wish as we put our hands in, and there it is. It’s a magic pitcher⁠—the only one there is in the whole wide world.

The fairies explain that the large pitcher provides all their food and desires instantly by simply wishing as they reach inside, and it is unique in the world.

_The fairies reveal the magic pitcher's power to Subha Datta._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters