The True Brahmin

Centuries ago, in the province of Sindhu, there lived a pious Brahmin pundit. His son had fallen in love with the charming daughter of a farmer.

“My father will never agree to my marrying a girl from another caste,” the pundit’s son confided to one of his friends.

“Why don’t you introduce the girl to him as a Brahmin?” suggested the friend.

The idea appealed to the young man. He took the girl to the old pundit and said, “Father, here is a poor Brahmin’s daughter. May I have your permission to marry her?”

However, the girl immediately interjected, “Oh no, please don’t give him the wrong impression. I am a farmer’s daughter!”

The scholar smiled at the girl and said, “My child, regardless of your father’s profession, you are a Brahmin at heart. A true Brahmin is someone who cannot tolerate falsehood.” Then, pointing at his son, he continued, “Now, the real question is, though he is a Brahmin’s son, this young man is not a true Brahmin. I would be honored to have you as my daughter-in-law if you have no objection to marrying this non-Brahmin!”