# XIII explained — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit

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

## What happens

Subha Datta retrieves the magic pitcher and brings it home, but in a drunken frenzy he drops and breaks it, losing the treasure forever.

## Themes in this chapter

### Temptation and Selfishness

Subha Datta succumbs to the temptation of wine, leading to the destruction of the magic pitcher.

### Consequences of Greed

His reckless behavior and greed for more from the pitcher result in its loss and his own sorrow.

## Character check-ins

### Subha Datta

The woodcutter who retrieves the magic pitcher but breaks it in a drunken dance.

### The Woodcutter

Subha Datta is the woodcutter; he is the central figure in this chapter.

## Key lines

> When the woodcutter was quite sure that everyone was gone and nobody could see where he had hidden the pitcher, he took it from the hole in which it lay and carried it carefully to his home.

Once the woodcutter was certain no one was watching, he retrieved the pitcher from its hiding place and brought it home with great care.

_Describes the retrieval of the magic pitcher._

> But he paid no attention to her. Suddenly, however, he began to feel giddy and fell to the ground, dropping the pitcher as he did so. It was broken to pieces, and a great cry of sorrow went up from all who saw the accident.

Ignoring his wife's warning, he became dizzy, fell, and shattered the pitcher, causing everyone to mourn.

_The moment the pitcher is broken._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/xiii
- 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