Why Is “Truth” Naked and Bitter in the Truth and Falsehood World?

By: M. Burhanuddin Qasmi
(A literary recreation by the Editor of Eastern Crescent, Mumbai)

It is said that “Truth” and “Falsehood” are twin brothers. They lived together and grew up together, but their habits, likes and dislikes were entirely different.

One day, “Falsehood” said to “Truth”: “Come, let us both bathe together in the pond. The water of the pond is very clean and pleasant.”

“Truth” felt somewhat suspicious. He first examined the water carefully. He found that the water was indeed clean, clear and pleasant. So, both took off their clothes, got into the pond and began bathing.

Suddenly, “Falsehood” came out of the water, put on “Truth’s” clothes and ran away.

“Truth” came out of the pond to get his clothes back and shouted, but by then the world had already seen him naked. People turned their faces away from him with hatred and anger.

The poor “Truth”, feeling embarrassed, went back and hid himself in the pond. Since then, he occasionally comes out only when necessary, and he does so cautiously, avoiding people.

Since that day, “Falsehood” has become free and separated from “Truth”. Now, wearing “Truth’s” clothes, he roams around the world, and the world is also very happy with him. This is because the world does not want to face a naked “Truth”. Meanwhile, “Falsehood”, dressed in a beautiful robe, disguised as “Truth”, and using the sweetness of his tongue, is making people dance to his tune.

The gentle-natured “Truth” also always remains haunted by the fear of what people will say about him if he appears before them without any covering. That is why he is compelled to remain naked in that deep pond, hiding his face from everyone.

But how did “Truth” become bitter?
It so happened that while the villagers were gossiping about “Truth’s” nakedness, the beautiful and kind-hearted daughter of the village chief took pity on him. One night, she secretly came to the edge of the pond and said to “Truth”, “Come out, I have brought clothes for you. Put them on.”

But “Truth” was, after all, Truth: extremely innocent and a little foolish, too! He suspected that the most beautiful girl in the village had come there in solitude to take advantage of his nakedness. The girl repeatedly insisted, but “Truth” did not listen to her at all. Instead, he scolded her and sent her back.

Now, as often happens, beautiful women are proud of their beauty and also become angry when they are not appreciated. So, the chief’s daughter went back and spread the word among her female friends that “Truth is very bitter, and foolish too.”

Thus, since then, the poor “Truth” has not only been called naked but also bitter and foolish. Some call him naked, some bitter, while others taunt him by calling him foolish.

People do not want to see or accept that “Truth” which is unpleasant, uncomfortable or harsh for them. However, they readily accept that “Falsehood” which comes before them wearing the mask of “Truth” and ultimately leaves them suffering the consequences.
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(Based on the 1896 painting “Truth Coming Out of Her Well” by the French painter Jean-Léon Gérôme.)