A Clever Decision

The Brahmin’s Dilemma

One day, Yasaskara the Wise was leaving his court when a Brahmin was led into his presence. The king asked the Brahmin what he wanted, and he replied, “Sir, I have traveled to many distant lands and earned a hundred gold pieces. Yesterday evening, I rested under a tree near a place called Lavanothsava. In the morning, I went to a nearby well to wash my face, and unfortunately, my money bag fell into the water. I could not go down because of the dense bushes surrounding the well. Just then, a man offered to go down and recover my bag, but he asked what I would give him as a reward. I said I would give him what he desired, and the rest would be his. Then he jumped into the well and brought up my bag.”

The Unfair Reward

“He took all my money and gave me only two gold pieces. When I protested, he said that I should stick to my promise. I spoke to several people about this, but everyone agreed with that man. I have lost all the money earned by the sweat of my brow. Therefore, I have come to you for justice.”

The King’s Judgement

Yasaskara replied that he would give his judgment the next day. The following day, he called the other man and, taking out the hundred gold pieces, gave two to him and returned the balance to the Brahmin. When the court objected to this, the wise monarch said, “You must carefully note the terms of the contract between these two. The contract was that the man would give the Brahmin whatever he himself chose. He chose ninety-eight gold pieces. Therefore, according to the contract, this man will get only two gold pieces.”

A Lesson in Justice

The court praised the cleverness of the king and condemned the greedy man who had attempted to cheat the Brahmin.