What Does a Diamond Look Like?

A Greedy Merchant

Long ago, there lived a merchant who traded in diamonds. Although he amassed a great fortune, he was an unscrupulous man, acquiring most of his wealth through dishonest means.

The Farmer’s Land

A poor farmer was his neighbor. The merchant had long coveted the farmer’s land and persistently tried to persuade him to sell it. However, the farmer refused to agree, as the land was his ancestral property. Frustrated, the merchant became angry and began to harass the farmer in various ways.

An Underhanded Plan

Eventually, the merchant sought the help of a ruffian named Manik. He said to him, “Manik, this farmer who lives next to my house is a veritable nuisance. I propose to teach him a lesson. I will complain to the king that he has stolen a precious diamond from me. You must be my witness and confirm what I say. I will pay you well for this.”

The King’s Inquiry

Manik agreed to the merchant’s request. The next day, the merchant lodged a complaint with the king, citing Manik as a witness to the alleged theft. The king summoned Manik and questioned him about the supposed crime.

“Manik, you say you witnessed the farmer stealing the diamond. Describe the stone to me,” the king asked.

A Fisherman’s Tale

Manik, having never seen a diamond in his life, was taken aback by the question. An idea struck him. He held up a fishing rod and replied, “The diamond was as big as this rod.”

Surprised, the king turned to the merchant and inquired, “Do you sell diamonds the shape of this fishing rod?”

Truth Prevails

The merchant was perplexed, unsure of how to respond. Manik, trying to assist further, added quickly, “Once when I lost my tackle, my father scolded me and said, ‘Fool, you have lost a diamond of a fishing rod.’ Since then, I have believed that a diamond is like a fishing rod.”

Instantly, the king understood that the merchant had attempted to frame the poor farmer in a false accusation. Consequently, he sentenced the merchant to a long term in prison.