Here is a story/Riddle quite well known to many Indians. I translated it from an old literature wrote back in ancient India. I have written the answer at the bottom of the page and would love those who read this story to answer first then proceed down to check the result. Note the answer is not straight forward. It holds a deeper meaning to it and i have given the answer which was written in the Epic Literature. If those who feel a different way and find that their choice of answer is best suited pls do leave a comment.. Happy Reading

Vana had just got married.She was seated down in front of the mirror while the women in the houses were busy beautifying Vana to look beautiful and seductive to please her new husband who was waiting impatiently to celebrate his first night with his beautiful wife.

Vana was troubled. She looked up at her mother who was also busy with the first night arrangement and admired how pretty and happy her mother looked. Her sister was laughing at someone's joke and Vana realized her sister was growing up to be a very beautiful woman. Already Mothers who had eligible sons were inquiring about the status of her sister to her mother. Her mum had shrugged them all off with a she is still young excuse. Vana noticed how much of respect her family was getting from everyone. Only a few months back the very same people did not even give them the time of the day and looked on them as the scum of the earth.

Her father has passed away in a freak mining accident and the entire family responsibility fell on the three women's shoulder. There were bills to pay debts to settle and already their land owner has given them two weeks notice to pay the rent or evict the house. Even though Vana her mother and her sister all worked hard they were not able to earn enough to settle the debts. Vana was working as a cook in a local restaurant.

It was also this time when she fell in love with the waiter Anon. Anon knew all her problems and never demanded time or attention from Vana. He made it clear her family came first and she was to put her family first before anyone else including him. Vana was very grateful for Anon selfless gesture. One day she went home after work when she noticed from far her house was filled with a lot of people. As she grew nearer to her surprise she realized all those people were the big wigs of the village. Suddenly she got scared and shouted for her mother and sister. Her mother came out face filled with happiness which she had not seen for a long time. Her mother then slowly unveiled to her what was happening. The village headman's son was madly in love with Vana and wanted to marry her by all means. He even went to the extend of giving his word that if Vana were to marry him he will settle all their debts and make sure her family will always live in comfort and never have to work again.

Her sweet mother even facing all these problems did not give them any confirmation and told them to wait for Vana to come from work and decide. After all it was her daughter who was going to marry not her.Vana knew at that moment what her decision was. Any other answer were going to break her family's heart. She also remembered that Anon had told her to always put her family before anyone else. She agreed to the proposal and the very next day they were moved to a bigger much better house than her old slum they were staying in.

Vana knew she had to meet Anon and sneaked her way out and met Anon at his place of work and told him what happened. Anon took it quite badly. He has always been understanding towards her plight but always had the hope of marrying Vana one day Now, that dream was dashed. Vana became very guilty and without thinking said " On the day I get married before my husband touches my body, I will come to you and lose my virginity. At least that will ease your pain of losing me. Anon who was too diraught to talk waved her away and she went back and there she was now thinking how to honor the promise she gave Anon.

Finally the women got her ready and walked her to the room where her husband was waiting for her impatiently. She closed the door behind her, walked up to her husband and blurted out exactly what had happened and the promise she had to upkeep. Her husband was very shocked when he listened to his wife's story and stood in silence looking at her. Finally after a few long minutes of silence he went up to her and said " When you give someone a word you have to honor it with every drop of your blood. I don't want any man out there going around telling people my wife is someone who goes back on her word. Even if you don't feel anything I as your husband will truly be ashamed. Go Vana climb out that window where there is no one looking and go honor your word. I will wait for you here. Go without any doubt in your heart Vana. I will still love you when you return back the same way I love you when I married you.

Vana then went on her way to Anon's house.But midway through A big man sprung out of the darkness and demanded she handed all her valuables to him. Vana didn't utter a sound and gave up all her jewellery she was wearing to the big robber. But the robber had other ideas. Seeing how sexy and beautiful Vana was in her outfit she was wearing for her first night. the robber grew horny and asked Vana to remove her cloths. Vana seeing where all this was going begged the robber to let her go but the robber was not letting her go. Women like Vana were not an everyday prey for him. He was not letting this opportunity go.

Vana then broke down and told her why she was out that night and promised the robber once she had upheld the word given to her boyfriend she will come to him and he can have her way with her. The robber found all this amusing and let her go but he waited for her wanting to see whether she will come back to him like she promised.

Vana reached Anon's house and knocked. Anon opened the door was take a step back in shock seeing Vana there. Realizing why she had come he told her even though they were both lovers once she belonged to another man now and no way was he going to touch a woman who was married to another man. He then sent her on her way. Vana walked back in the same direction she came and went straight to the robber who was by now fast asleep while waiting for her return. Waking him up the robber stood up startled to see Vana there back just as she had promised.Vana explained to the thief what had transpired with Anon and told the robber he can do whatever he want with her just as she promised. The robber stood back and suddenly his lust for her disappeared. He told Vana he didn't want her and even gave her back her valuables he stole from her and sent her on her way.

Vana then went back to her waiting husband and told him all that happened and seeing his wife back safely and in one piece he happily embraced his wife and they both consummated their marriage an lived happily ever after.

The question all 3 men made a sacrifice in one way or another. All 3 men acted honorably in their own way. But among these 3 men who acted most honorably?

The husband saw his wife Vana adament that she keeps her word and by not doing so would cause her much sorrow. It was his duty as a husband to keep his wife happy no matter how odd or wierd the situation was

The boyfriend Anon had no right in touching another man's wife and it was his duty to reject her even though she used be his lover

The Robber was no means tied down by any ties or morals. He was after all someone who robs others for a living. Even if he had raped Vana no one would be shocked because after all he was a bad man without any dignity or principles

The answer* The Robber...