Maryada Raman and Iron-Eating Rats

In a bustling town in Southern India, there lived a merchant named Manjunath. He was a hardworking man but fell upon hard times. He decided to travel to distant lands to seek his fortune.

Manjunath had very few possessions left, but he had one thing of great value: a heavy set of weighing scales made of solid iron. It had belonged to his ancestors and weighed over a hundred kilograms. Since he couldn’t carry it with him, he took it to his wealthy friend, Lakshman.

“Lakshman, my friend,” said Manjunath, “please keep these iron scales safe for me until I return. They are my family heirlooms.” “Of course!” promised Lakshman. “Go with a peaceful mind.”

Years passed. Manjunath worked hard, saved money, and finally returned home. The first thing he did was visit Lakshman. “I am back, my friend!” he said happily. “May I please have my iron scales?”

Lakshman, unfortunately, had become greedy. He had sold the iron scales for a good price. He made a sad face and said, “Oh, Manjunath! A terrible tragedy occurred. I kept your scales in the granary, but a family of giant rats attacked them. They ate up the entire iron balance! I am so sorry.”

Manjunath knew instantly that his friend was lying. Rats don’t eat iron! But he didn’t get angry. He simply smiled and said, “Alas! It is not your fault. If fate wanted the rats to eat iron, who can stop them?”

Lakshman was relieved that Manjunath wasn’t suspicious. “By the way,” said Manjunath, “I have brought a rare gift from my travels. I am going to the river to bathe before heading home. Can you send your son, Ramu, with me to carry my towel? I will give him the gift.”

Greedy Lakshman readily agreed and sent his young son with Manjunath. Manjunath took the boy to a nearby cave, gave him some sweets, and blocked the entrance with a large boulder so the boy couldn’t get out (but leaving plenty of air and light). Then he went back to Lakshman’s house alone.

“Where is my son?” asked Lakshman.

Manjunath looked sad. “Oh, Lakshman! A terrible tragedy occurred. As we were walking by the river, a huge hawk swooped down, grabbed your boy with its claws, and flew away into the sky!”

“What!” shouted Lakshman. “You liar! A hawk cannot carry a fifteen-year-old boy! You have kidnapped him!”

They fought loudly and dragged the matter to the court of Judge Maryada Raman. Lakshman cried, “My Lord! This man has kidnapped my son! He claims a hawk carried him away!”

The Judge looked at Manjunath sternly. “Is this true? How can a hawk carry a boy?”

Manjunath bowed calmly. “Your Honor, in a village where rats can eat a hundred kilograms of solid iron, surely a hawk can carry a forty-kilogram boy.”

The Judge understood everything immediately. He turned his gaze to Lakshman, who stood trembling with shame. “Lakshman,” said the Judge, “if you return the iron scales, perhaps the hawk will drop your son back safely.”

Lakshman confessed his greed and returned the scales (or the money for them). Manjunath went to the cave and brought back the boy safe and sound.

Moral of the Story: As you sow, so shall you reap. Sometimes, a clever mirror is needed to show people their own dishonesty.

Moral of the Story: As you sow, so shall you reap. Tit for tat teaches a lesson.