The Man and His Beard

Once upon a time, there was a man called Som, noted for his picturesque long beard. He relished in his facial hair’s uniqueness and often boasted about having the best beard in the area, much to his wife’s chagrin. She was frustrated because he refused to chop it off, and one day, she challenged him about it.

Beard, the Corn Stalk

His wife sighingly asked him why he wouldn’t chop off his horrible growth. Som simply laughed it off, confidently telling his wife his beard was an unharvested wealth – akin to corn stalks in a field. His wife disparaged his claim, questioning who would buy his beard. Som confidently stated that only the king would be able to afford it and that it would lead them to wealth.

The King Overhears

The couple’s heated exchange wasn’t as private as they might have thought. The king and his minister, disguised and doing their nightly rounds, overheard it. The next day, Som was summoned to the royal court. Fearing he had offended the king, Som humbly presented himself before the throne.

A Beard for Sale

In court, the minister addressed Som, offering to buy his beard – likened to the ‘fine corn stalks’ on his face. Fearful, Som fell to his knees, claiming he was only joking and begging for forgiveness. However, the minister reassured him that the king indeed wanted to buy his beard. After ensuring he was not being pranked, Som agreed and asked for ten rupees, despite his earlier grand claim. They paid him, and he parted with his once cherished beard.

A Neighbour’s Envy

As Som returned home, his wife barely recognised him, as the transformation from a shaggy unkempt husband to a smooth-shaven handsome man was vast. His neighbour’s wife, who had eavesdropped on their earlier conversation, implored her husband to do the same. Dom, the neighbour, decided to sell his beard and asked for a whopping ten thousand rupees for it.

Lessons in Greed

The king and minister were amused at Dom’s outrageous asking price, but they turned this into a teachable moment. The minister claimed that Dom had been avoiding taxes on this ‘secret business,’ and therefore, they ordered him to pay a penalty of ten thousand rupees. Dom, regretful and ashamed, begged for forgiveness. The whole court laughed heartily at Dom’s embarrassment.

A Stern Warning

The minister sternly warned Dom against such greedy tendencies, pointing out the king’s intention to help only the poor and needy in this manner. Rich men like Dom should not covet wealth in this way. Chastened, Dom retreated home and ceased social interactions due to his shame, while his wife learned to stop eavesdropping on others.

Placement: After this line: “They paid him, and he parted with his once cherished beard.”