Easy Money

The Brothers’ Inheritance

After the death of their parents, the two brothers, Vijay and Ajay, divided their ancestral lands between themselves. Vijay found joy in farming, but Ajay was different. He had no interest in cultivation; he wanted to earn money quickly, and trade seemed the right way to achieve that. So, he sold his share of the property and moved to another village.

Dishonesty Pays Off

Ajay opened a shop and conducted his business honestly at first. However, he soon realized that dishonesty was more profitable. He resorted to adulteration and other foul tricks, quickly accumulating a considerable amount of wealth. Satisfied with his newfound riches, he converted his money into gold.

The Threat of Dacoits

But a time came when a gang of dacoits frequently raided the households in his area, and Ajay’s village was particularly vulnerable to such threats. To protect his box of gold from potential invaders, Ajay decided to carry it to his brother Vijay’s village, believing that Vijay, being a poor farmer, would be safe from the dacoits.

Fears and Doubts

Upon reaching the border of Vijay’s village, doubts began to overwhelm Ajay. Would Vijay become jealous of him upon seeing so much gold? Would he not expect a share? Would he be tempted to betray him? Fearful, Ajay chose not to enter the village. Instead, he buried the box in a field to keep it hidden and safe.

The Burden of Loss

When Ajay returned to his shop, he was horrified to find it completely ransacked by the dacoits, alongside several other households. Joining his neighbors in lamenting their misfortune, he eventually resolved to recover his buried box to restart his business. However, to his dismay, he could not locate the spot where he had hidden it, no matter how hard he tried.

A Brother’s Shelter

With no other options, he went to Vijay and told him that the dacoits had stolen all his wealth. Vijay sympathized with him and offered him shelter. A few days passed, and Ajay was taken aback by how generously Vijay was spending money to help the needy.

The Hidden Treasure

Curious, Ajay asked, “Brother! I see you are spending money so liberally. How did you earn so much?” Vijay smiled and replied, “It’s quite a strange story. I discovered some hidden property in my field. Look at this box; it contained a lot of gold, including mohurs and ornaments!”

The Dilemma of Truth

Ajay recognized his box and sighed but felt unable to tell the truth. Having already claimed that all his wealth had been stolen, he feared that if he asserted the box was his, Vijay might think he was merely being greedy. So, he chose to remain silent. Eventually, Vijay helped Ajay purchase some land, and Ajay became a farmer like his brother.