The Downfall Of The Jhankri

There was once a great lama, who before going to India to get the holy books asked a jhankri to look after the spiritual needs of the people in his village during his absence.
In course of time the lama came back. When he came near the village he found the jhankri conducting a service for the dead. So, he sat down under a tree and sent his servant to find out how the jhankri was doing it.
The servant came back and reported that the service was being conducted without a book.
"How is the dead body?" asked the lama.
"The jhankri makes it laugh, dance and eat," said the servant.
"Really!" exclaimed the lama. "Go and bring the jhankri to me here."
The servant went again. He found the jhankri in a very angry mood because the dead body no longer obeyed him. It had suddenly gone cold and it lay unmoved.
When the servant asked him to come to the lama, the jhankri got up and threatened to kill him.
"Why do you want to kill me?" said the servant. "I have only come to take you to my master."
At last the jhankri went and asked if the lama was willing to enter into a contest with himself to see who was more powerful.
"I am willing to be tested by you," said the lama.
"Well, then," said the jhankri, "He who can touch the sun when it rises tomorrow shall win the contest."
"It is all right with me," said the lama.
And so the next morning the jhankri put on his ceremonial robe and feathered cap, and with his drum in one hand and his wand in the other, he flew up to meet the sun.
Meanwhile, the lama woke up and asked his servant to see how high the jhankri had gone.
"He is in the clouds," said the man.
The lama made his tea and drank it. Then he said again, "See how high he is now."
The man looked out of the window and said, "He is close to the sun."
The lama asked his servant to bring his incense burner. When it was brought to him, the lama blew into it and at once thick smoke rose from it. The smoke went out of the window and rose to the sky. It reached higher and higher until it caught up with the jhankri. The smoke blinded him and tied him and brought him down to the earth.
The Jhankri fell in a bush of stinging nettles.
Since then no jhankri has eaten nettles. His misshappen drum and crooked wand are further reminders of the jhankri's great fall.