The Dhimars are proverbially of a cheerful disposition, though simple
and easily cheated. When carrying _palkis_ or litters at night they
talk continually or sing monotonous songs to lighten the tedium of the
way. In illustration of these qualities the following story is told:
One day when Mahadeo and Parvati were travelling the goddess became
very tired, so Mahadeo created four men from the dust, who bore her
in a litter. On the way they talked and laughed, and Parvati was very
pleased with them, so when she got home she told them to wait while she
sent them out a reward. The Bhois found that they could get plenty of
liquor, so they went on drinking it and forgot all about going for the
reward. In the meantime a Marwari Bania who had heard what the goddess
said, waited at the door of the palace, and when the servants brought
out a bag of money he pretended that he was one of the Bhois and got
them to give him the money, with which he made off. After a time the
Bhois remembered about the reward and went to the door of the palace to
get it, when the goddess came out and found out what had happened. The
Bhois then wept and asked for another reward, but the goddess refused
and said that as they had been so stupid their caste would always be
poor, but at the same time they would be cheerful and happy.