The following is the story behind the Rajasthani proverb, "I am the person who can say no, who are you to say no."

An old woman went to the jungle to collect firewood. As she returned home with a heavy load of firewood on her head, a sadhu (holy man) offered to help her by carrying it to her home. The old woman thanked him and said she would give him something for his help after they reached her place.

But when they reached her house, she went inside and did not come out because then she would have to give him something. Meanwhile, her daughter-in-law came out and the sadhu said he was waiting for something to be given to him for his help. She said they would not give him anything.

At this, the mother-in-law came out and said angrily, "What right did you have to say no? Only I have the right to say no."