People still tell this story when the evening stretches long and someone says, “Let me tell you what happens as a punishment for lying.” It begins with three friends who trusted the wrong king.
They weren’t rich. They weren’t powerful either. Still, everyone in the kingdom knew they were dependable. So when a neighboring ruler attacked, the king called them before anyone else.
“If you help me win this war,” he said, voice loud and certain, “I’ll give you half my kingdom.”
It was a wild promise. Even so, they believed him. They marched into battle, fought hard, and somehow — through dust, shouting, and pure stubborn courage — they won.
Afterward, the kingdom exploded into celebration. Drums, food, laughter everywhere.
Then came the quiet part.
The three friends stood before the king to claim what he had sworn to give. But instead of gratitude, they got a shrug.
“I don’t remember saying that,” he replied.
At first, they thought he was joking. Later, they realized he wasn’t. They reminded him again. And again. However, greed is like a door slamming shut. Once it closes, nothing gets through.
So they stopped asking.
They walked away from the kingdom with empty hands and heavy hearts.
Days passed. Eventually, they reached a forest and collapsed under a broad old fig tree. Since someone had to stay awake, the youngest said he’d keep watch.
Sometime after midnight, a pale glow appeared between the roots. A spirit stepped forward. She didn’t look angry. She didn’t look kind either. Just… certain.
“You were wronged,” she said. “But you didn’t become cruel. That matters.”
Then she handed him a small pouch. When he reached inside, coins spilled into his hand. He tried again. More coins. Again. Still more. It was a magic bag that brought sudden wealth, the kind of thing people imagine when they talk about how to get rich overnight.
The next night, the second friend stayed awake and received a strange tool that could show anything happening anywhere. On the third night, the eldest got a golden trumpet that could draw people from miles away. All three were magical objects with powers, gifts for honesty, not greed.
With the money from the bag, they built themselves a comfortable home. Nothing too fancy. Still, word of their sudden wealth spread quickly.
Before long, the king heard. Curiosity got the better of him, so he visited with the princess. She walked slowly through their home, smiling politely. However, her eyes lingered on every shining object.
That night, while everyone slept, she switched the magical gifts with identical copies.
Morning arrived with shouting. Soldiers surrounded the house. The fake gifts failed, and the friends barely escaped into the forest.
The youngest climbed an apple tree to hide. He was starving. So he grabbed an apple and took a bite without thinking.
At first, nothing happened.
Then his nose started to grow.
Not a little. A lot.
It stretched longer… and longer… until it trailed through the forest like a rope. Meanwhile, his friends saw it from far away and followed it, confused, until they found him staring helplessly at the end of his own nose.
That night, the spirit returned.
“This tree carries a curse,” she explained. “It’s a punishment for lying and stealing. You’ve heard of Pinocchio’s nose growing longer with every lie, haven’t you? In the same way, a nose grows when lying, and greed makes the spell worse.”
She gave him a dried apple, which fixed his nose. After listening to their story, she helped them make a plan.
Back at the palace, the princess was served apples from that very same tree.
Her first bite tasted sweet. The second bite changed everything.
Her nose began to grow in front of the entire court.
Panic spread instantly. Servants screamed. The king shouted for help. Although healers tried everything they knew, nothing worked.
At last, a traveling healer arrived — the youngest friend in disguise.
“This is not an illness,” he said quietly. “It’s the natural punishment for greed and dishonesty. Lies don’t stay hidden forever. In the end, greed leads to downfall, even inside palace walls.”
The princess broke down crying and returned the stolen magical objects with powers.
Only then did he give her the dried apple. Slowly, her nose shrank back to normal.
Before sunrise, the three friends left the kingdom. No speeches. No revenge. Just their gifts, their freedom, and a story that people still repeat when they want to remind someone about the punishment for lying.
If You Liked This Folk Tale…
If this story about the punishment for lying, greed, and magical justice kept you hooked, you might also enjoy another powerful Indian tale where emotions take a darker turn. This folk story from Madhya Pradesh explores how unchecked desire can lead to destruction, proving that not all consequences come from magic — some grow quietly from the heart itself. Read it here.
Kalai is passionate about reading and reinterpreting folk tales from all over the country. Write to her at kalai.muse@gmail.com to know more about her.