Once upon a time, there lived a very poor man named Ponnan Authough he had little money and food this always shared whatever he had with people some, he hardly even knew. His wife would despair over ase think of your family first You bring random strangers home for meals Do you want us to starve to death?" she would lament. But Pannan was too generous to refuse anyone and many people took advantage of his kind nature. One morning, Ponnan set off for work. His wife finished her chores, thinking about how to change her husband's ways She happened to look out of the window and saw two men nearby. Much irritation she saw that they were walking towards the hut, talking and rubbing their stomachs in anticipation to Godt Not againrrm sure Ponna has invited them home for she fumed, 'I have to do something stop this nonsense today She looked around and saw a mortar and pestle that she used to pound rice. idea struck the my might work, she thought, shrewdly. She quickly dragged the mortar and peste to the center of hut She it and then applied paste to the top of she got a garland and arranged it the mortar like someone had been worshipping the mortar and pestle Ithink it looks she thought ready now. anyone home for a meal, l'm sick and tired of feeding other people and This isthe last day Ponnan brings myself she sat in front of it and started to chant m her ears open for the men The men soon entered the hut, hoping for a scrumptious free meal m going to eat to my content on man easy saying to another. Ponnan's wife welcomed them warmly. "Do come in Make you at homel she aid, smiling. They were pleased by her warm welcome, but stopped short when they saw the mortar and pestle adorned on the floor "What is this? asked one man, puzzled. Are you worshipping a mortar and pestle?" asked the other man. The wife smiled. Didn't my husband tell you?" asked the wife innocently It is his deity-a very strange one too How do you mean?" asked one man, uneasily. Ponnan's wife took on an eerie tone. It demands human The men gasped, horrified. What?" Yes it's true," she continued calmly. "My husband invites guests home. When they come, he starts to hit them on the head with the pestle, drawing as much blood as he can. Then he offers the blood to the delty. That's the usual ritual we follow. The men went speechless with terror I've told him not to do it so many times, but does he listen? questioned Ponnan's wife, "It is not easy to clean ll the blood from the floor," she said. The terrified men raced out of the house just as Ponnan was entering. she said, "but wouldn't give it.' "You fool what happened?" he asked his wife, They wanted the pest Why didn't you let them have it?" said Ponnan Picking up the pestle, he ran after them. "Come back! Take the pestle!" he shouted The frightened men thought he was coming to bash their heads and ran faster. After that day, no one accepted Ponnan's invitations ever again and it puzzled him his wife kept the secret all to herself