Two Misers and a Pair of Shoes

Two misers, Jeewan and Bakshi, shared a room in the city. Jeewan was a diamond merchant, while Bakshi was a money lender.

“Let us buy a pair of shoes, each paying half of its price,” proposed Jeewan.

“But it won’t work if you use one shoe from the pair while I use the other! People will laugh to see one of our feet bare!” observed Bakshi.

“My brother, we need not divide the shoes between us. You can wear them when you go out on business, and I can do the same when I go out,” suggested Jeewan.

The proposal sounded quite reasonable. They contributed equally and bought a pair of shoes.

Jeewan, being a diamond merchant, roamed the city frequently with his jewelry box in hand. He made the best use of the shoes. In contrast, Bakshi, being a money lender, mostly sat on the verandah of his room, where people came to borrow from him or pay back the money they had taken. He regretted not being able to use the shoes for which he had paid!

A bright idea came to him. He decided to put on the shoes at night when Jeewan was asleep, strolling around the verandah or in the courtyard. However, in due course, the shoes began to wear out.

“Let us buy a new pair of shoes,” proposed Jeewan.

“No, no, never!” Bakshi resisted.

“Why?” asked Jeewan, surprised.

“How long can I go sleepless at night? I must sleep!” said Bakshi, frustrated with the situation.