The Shadow of Falsehood

Once, there lived a wealthy man named Somnath. He was very proud of his riches. A woman named Kayalvizhi, from a nearby town, showed him great affection. However, Kayalvizhi’s heart did not beat for Somnath; it beat for his gold and vast estates. When a sudden crisis struck and Somnath lost most of his wealth, Kayalvizhi vanished instantly. She did not come to support him in his time of need; instead, she sought out a new, wealthier man. Somnath, heartbroken, asked her, 'Why was your love so hollow?' Kayalvizhi replied coldly, 'I was with you because of your wealth. Now that it is gone, there is nothing left to hold onto.' Somnath realized then that her affection was like a person embracing a cold corpse in a dark room—it had no warmth, no life, and no truth. It was a mere performance driven by greed.