One Who Deserved More

Thimmarasu, the renowned minister of the King of Vijayanagar, had two young men, Subodh and Vimal, as his personal assistants. He trusted and loved both of them, and every year he increased their monthly salary by twenty mohurs.

One year, Thimmarasu raised Subodh’s salary by forty mohurs, while Vimal’s increment remained the usual twenty.

“What have I done to deserve this kindness, Sir?” asked Subodh.

“You are paid more because you are in the habit of spending more on charity,” answered the noble minister.

“May I know what gave you that impression, Sir?” queried Subodh.

“Did a traveler not meet you a week back at night and ask for shelter, saying that he had lost his purse and was unable to pay for lodging at the inn?”

“That is right, Sir,” said Subodh.

“In the morning, did you not offer him some money for his expenses, since he had lost his purse? On another occasion, Vimal also granted him shelter, but he had not been so considerate as to think of his passage money,” said the minister with a smile.

Soon, the surprised Subodh realized who the traveler was!