A Boy of Principles

Introduction

In a certain village, there was a kind landlord. One day, he came across an orphan named Gokul, whom he allowed to live in a hut on one of his farms.

Gokul’s Work and the Harvest

“Work in this field and take whatever you need to prepare your food from our cook,” the landlord told Gokul. A year passed, and the landlord was pleased to see that the farm, under Gokul’s care, yielded a variety of good vegetables.

The Festive Feast

On a festive day, the landlord hosted a sumptuous lunch for several guests, featuring many dishes prepared with vegetables from Gokul’s farm. However, while supervising the feast, the landlord noticed that Gokul was not among the employees and servants who had joined for lunch. Curious, he rode to Gokul’s hut and found the door open. When he entered, he saw Gokul about to eat his lunch, which consisted of only a few pieces of dry bread.

The Conversation

“Gokul! Why did you not join the others for the feast?” asked the landlord.

“You did not invite me, sir!” replied Gokul, making it clear that despite his poverty, he held a strong sense of dignity.

Understanding Gokul’s Choices

“But why are you eating only dry bread? This farm is filled with vegetables!” questioned the landlord.

“Sir, you did not tell me that I could eat from the farm. You asked me to take what I needed from your cook!” Gokul answered.

“Then why don’t you bring vegetables from the cook?” the landlord pressed.

“You told me to take whatever I need. I really don’t need more than a little flour,” replied Gokul.

Sharing a Meal

The landlord was deeply impressed by Gokul’s thoughtful replies. “Come, let’s have lunch together,” he said, taking Gokul back to his house. By the time they arrived, the other guests had finished eating.

Discovering Flavor

As the two sat down, the landlord encouraged Gokul, “Do not hesitate to ask for more of the dishes that you enjoy.”

“I know which one will taste best. It’s the dish made with pumpkin,” Gokul stated confidently.

“Oh no, there are dishes made from cabbage, cauliflower, and other finer vegetables,” the landlord countered. However, when he tasted the dishes, he realized that Gokul was right; the pumpkin dish was indeed the most delicious.

Wisdom in Observation

“How did you know, even before tasting, that this would be the most flavorful?” the landlord inquired.

“Well, sir, as we walked through the hall where others had feasted, I noticed that many parts of the other dishes were left untouched, while very little of the pumpkin dish remained,” Gokul explained.

Recognition of Value

The landlord now recognized that Gokul exhibited not only virtue but also keen insight and intelligence. Impressed by Gokul’s qualities, he decided to bring him into his own home and enroll him in a school.