The Price of Grain
The Rising Prices
It happened a few centuries ago in the kingdom of Kamboj, where the harvest had been plentiful. However, the price of food grain suddenly began to rise sharply. The people complained to the king about this issue. In response, the king summoned his ministers to uncover the reason behind the steep increase in prices, but their theories left him unsatisfied.
The King’s Efforts
To alleviate his people’s suffering, the king initiated a monetary aid program for anyone purchasing grain. However, he soon realized that this was not a sustainable solution, as the price of grain continued to escalate with the financial assistance.
Seeking Alternatives
Some priests advised the king to perform specific religious rites to bring relief. The king complied, but the rites had little effect on the soaring prices. Eventually, the king called upon the leading grain merchants of Kamboj and instructed them to lower their prices. They collectively insisted that this demand was beyond their control, explaining that the kingdom required more grain than it could produce and relied on costly imports. “How can we sell the grain cheaply?” they asked.
The King’s Doubts
The king was not convinced. Reports indicated that some regions within his kingdom had experienced bumper crops, while no area had completely failed. Why, then, was there a discrepancy between supply and demand? The king suspected that the merchants were hoarding their grain to create an artificial scarcity in the market.
A Firm Decision
<p“Whatever the circumstances,” the king declared, “I want you to sell the grain at the prices fixed by us! If you don’t comply, there will be consequences.” The merchants left, sullen and silent, but the following day, their shops were found closed. Customers desperate for grain were forced to buy it through backdoors at the usual high prices—or even higher.
A Clever Plan
At a loss for solutions, the king sat in deep contemplation until Ravi, the son of one of his ministers, approached him with a humble proposal to resolve the crisis. The king listened intently, and his expression brightened with hope at the idea presented to him.
The Turning Point
That same day, an announcement was made that grain would soon be available at affordable rates, as the king had purchased hundreds of tons from neighboring lands. For two days, this news spread, and on the third day, the capital witnessed a stream of loaded carts arriving.
The Resolution
By the evening, the price of grain had dropped by half. The merchants who had hoarded grain realized their stocks would spoil unless sold quickly. The crisis seemed to resolve itself, and it was revealed that the bags unloaded inside the palace contained only husk!