The Superiority Fee

The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Rama was crumbling. The villagers generously contributed to the fund intended for raising a new temple, which was desperately needed.

In the village, there were two gifted singers—Sudhakar and Kinkar. The village president thought it would be a good idea to have them sing before a gathering of invitees from surrounding villages. The invitees would be required to pay for the performance, and the money collected would go to the temple fund.

“How much will you charge if you are asked to sing for a good cause?” the village president asked Sudhakar.

“A hundred rupees will do if it is a good cause,” replied Sudhakar.

The president then informed Kinkar that Sudhakar had agreed to sing for a hundred rupees, expecting Kinkar to do the same.

“What!” exclaimed Kinkar. “Do you take me to be a singer of Sudhakar’s level? I am far superior to him. You must pay me at least one rupee more.”

The president agreed to Kinkar’s demand.

At the end of the performance, the president announced, “Kinkar demanded a rupee more than Sudhakar. When Sudhakar learned the purpose of the function, he refused to take anything. In other words, we have to pay Kinkar zero plus one rupee.”

He then handed over a one-rupee coin to Kinkar.